Bristol youth charity warns of knife crime 'epidemic'

A machete-style knife is one of three knives taken from young people in Bristol in one week

A charity says youngsters feel they have no choice but to carry knives in a city, after taking a machete and two other bladed weapons from young people in just one week.

Growing Futures, in Bristol, said one of them reported they would "rather be in prison than dead".

Director Desmond Brown said: "He was just petrified of his surroundings and felt the knife kept him safe."

Avon and Somerset Police says it is working to educate young people.

Mr Brown continued: "There's an epidemic and I fear for our young people as they are having to pick up more vicious weapons.

"They don't feel protected by their schools, they don't feel like they can talk to their parents and they don't feel protected by the police."

Desmond Brown works with charities to help get knives off the streets

According to Bristol City Council, there was a total of 1,204 incidents involving a sharp object in the city up until the end of September 2022.

Mr Brown's charity works with young people and school exclusion students to help them discuss their fears with parents and teachers.

"We need to invest into our youth, as we have the highest exclusion rates in the country," he said.

"We need better interventions at a younger level and better conversations within our communities.

"The youngsters are not the perpetrators, they are just really scared."

'Very concerning'

Avon and Somerset Police Chief Constable Sarah Crew told BBC Radio Bristol that she was "very concerned" about knife crime.

"There are some terrifying knives on our streets and we are working with schools, partners and parents to educate everyone on the dangers of it," she said.

"It's a worry to me that some young people and parents think it's somehow safer to carry a knife than reach out and ask the police to support.

"If they are in fear, they should speak to us. We are here to serve and protect."

Chief Constable Sarah Crew said she is "very worried" about knife crime

She added: "There are no good outcomes [to children carrying knives]. We have to get that message across to every single young person.

"If there's a fear for young people, they are so many support networks such as Crimestoppers to anonymously report knife crime.

"We all want the same thing, to keep our children safe for the future."