Memory updated
Title Suggestion: “Knife Crime: Protecting Our Teenagers – A Call to Action for Parents and
Grandparents”

The tragic loss of a 13-year-old boy in the West Midlands has reignited the conversation around knife
crime, leaving many families heartbroken. Police are appealing for help from the public following the
murder, which took place at the boy’s home on Lovett Avenue, Oldbury. Despite the best efforts of
paramedics, the boy succumbed to his injuries at the scene. West Midlands Police Chief Superintendent
Kim Madill has urged anyone with information to come forward to assist the investigation.
This horrific incident serves as a grim reminder of the escalating issue of knife crime among teenagers in
the UK. In the year ending March 2023, there were 51 teenage homicides in England and Wales, with
82% caused by stabbings. London alone witnessed the deaths of 18 teenagers due to knives last year.
Knife crime is on the rise, with over 50,000 offences involving sharp objects reported in England and
Wales during the same period.
Why Are Our Teenagers Turning to Knives?
It’s a question every parent and grandparent should be asking: Why are teenagers feeling the need to carry
a knife? What has led to this surge in violence among our youth? While it’s true that the majority of
teenagers do not carry knives, those who do face devastating consequences. And it’s not just their lives at
risk—it’s the lives of everyone involved. When a young person uses a knife, two lives are ruined: the
victim’s and the perpetrator’s, who will likely face life imprisonment for their actions.
Even more concerning is the fact that a teenager doesn’t need to physically commit the act to face the
same penalties. If your child is present during an attack or encourages someone else to act, they could face
charges as an accomplice. This is known as “accomplice liability” or “felony murder” in some legal
systems. In other words, simply being associated with a crime can lead to severe legal consequences for
your child.
A Future Lost
Imagine a future where your child or grandchild leaves school, finds a job, buys a motorbike or car, enters
a relationship, and enjoys the milestones of life—marriage, career success, happiness. Now imagine that
future cut short because of a knife. Unfortunately, too many young people today aren’t thinking beyond
the moment when they make the choice to carry a weapon.
What Can You Do?
As parents and grandparents, we must ask ourselves what we can do to stop this epidemic of violence.
Start by educating your children about the dangers of carrying a knife, and make sure they understand that
associating with someone who carries one can lead to life-changing consequences.
Discover Life Skills is a new website offering free, hard-hitting educational videos on knife crime,
vaping, social media, and sexting. Originally designed for teachers to use in PSHE (Personal, Social,
Health, and Economic) lessons, these free videos are also a valuable resource for families. Watching them
together with your children could spark meaningful conversations and help protect their future.
In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to have open, honest discussions with your children and
grandchildren. Take the time to sit down and explain the risks—even if they don’t carry a knife
themselves, being involved in an incident can have devastating effects on their future. By starting the
conversation now, you could help save their life and keep them on a positive path.