Home / Crime and Justice / Grieving Families Demand Action on Rising Knife Crime
Grieving Families Demand Action on Rising Knife Crime
15 Jan
Summary
- Families unite, demanding urgent action against escalating knife crime.
- One mother shares her profound grief after losing her partner to stabbing.
- Government vows to halve knife crime within a decade.
Families who have tragically lost loved ones to knife crime have united, urging for more decisive action to combat this pervasive issue. Among them is Eden Hollis, who is campaigning for change following the fatal stabbing of her 23-year-old partner, Lloyd Donkin, in Stockton during the summer of 2024. She conveyed the immense emotional toll, stating her family received a 'life sentence'.
Hollis articulated the community's deep-seated fear, noting that many young people feel compelled to carry knives for self-protection, exacerbating the cycle of violence. She also pointed to societal factors like broken homes and the influence of violent media as contributing elements. Despite her persistent advocacy, she expressed a feeling of being unheard.
In response, the government has reiterated its mission to tackle serious violence, aiming to halve knife crime rates over the next decade. Initiatives like the Young Futures Panel pilots are in place to identify and support at-risk youth. The Policing Minister affirmed the government's dedication to eradicating serious violence from communities and ensuring a safer future for young people.
