Knife crime campaigner urges parents to check children’s pockets for blades before leaving the house

Knife crime campaigners have urged parents in London to check their child’s bags before leaving the house in case they have hidden blades.

The plea comes after 2021 was the worst year since the Second World War for teen murders, with many being victims of knife crime.

Earlier in the year, campaigners were left shocked when Brixton knife bin had to be closed as it was overflowing with deadly blades.

However in Croydon, a borough where there were four teen deaths, the community is coming together to try and halt this deadly epidemic.

LondonWorld video journalist Claudia Marquis spoke to residents and campaigners about the scourge of knife crime.

Anthony King is a community campaigner and the chairman of the MyEnds Programme.

He said: “For years I wondered how it could be, that just like that a life could be taken.

“Croydon was in trauma, we were losing young lives just like that.”

Anthony pleaded with parents to check their child’s bags before they leave the house.

“I asked every parent, to consider when your child leaves in the evening to play football - check their bag,” he said.

“If you have the patience to do so, please be considerate enough to check your child’s pockets.

“A knife that could have left your house, is a knife that could have taken someone’s life.”

Savannah Goupall sadly lost her cousin Jermaine Goupall to knife crime.

She said: “He was my best friend, we did everything together.

“It’s just become the normal for young people to be dying, it shouldn’t be the case.”

In light of the incident, Jermaine’s sister, Tilisha Goupall, is reaching out to schools to teach young students about the dangers of carrying a knife.

The knife crime meeting, at Croydon’s Voluntary Action building, was an opportunity for community leaders to discuss knife crime solutions.

Insp Kathy Morteo said: “The events of the last six weeks truly show that there is much more work that we need to do together.”

On December 30, Zaian Aimable-Lina was fatally stabbed in Croydon.

The Labour candidate for mayor for Croydon, Val Showcross, added that she “wants to try and end the surge of knife crime and try and give the young people of Croydon hope for a better and safer future”.