Teens' Deaths Inspire Film to Fight Knife Violence

A new film, Losing Our Children (The War on Knife Crime), has been created to address the pervasive issue of knife crime, drawing inspiration from the deaths of Fred Shand and Louis-Ryan Menezes. The film's director, Gary Halliday, stated that it amplifies the voices of young individuals directly impacted by such violence, offering them a space to recount their experiences and foster open dialogue.

The production, supported by Kingsthorpe Parish Council, recently had its premiere at the Odeon cinema in Northampton. Halliday expressed aspirations for the film to be accessible on Amazon and is actively engaged in discussions with distributors for a worldwide release, emphasizing that knife crime is not a localized problem.

Cheri Curran, mother of Louis-Ryan Menezes, who died in 2018 at age 17, shared her perspective, describing knife crime as a "virus." She underscored the profound grief experienced by families and communities affected by these losses. Curran urged collective action, stating that the fight against knife crime requires more than just the efforts of individuals, police, or councils.

Friends of Fred Shand highlighted the continuous nature of knife crime and the necessity of engaging with and including young people. They stressed the importance of awareness and providing youth with positive alternatives and a sense of belonging, noting that a lack of information can lead them to seek acceptance elsewhere.