Shotton campaigner urges parents to speak about knife crime

Over the last few days, actor Idris Elba has been in the news regarding his call for the banning of machetes and so-called zombie knives - because he does not want to see his own son or any child “in a hospital bed”.

The Luther star, 51, who is father to two sons and a daughter, said the Government’s current crackdown is a “step in the right direction” but added that there is a "long road to go."

And following calls for mandatory jail terms for the possession of blades, Mr Elba said he felt there is no "one size fits all" solution to tackling knife crime.

He said a deterrent which makes youngsters realise they face a punishment “is an important step” but “there are gradients” to the issue as some people carry knives out of fear.

Idris Elba (Yui Mok/PA Wire) (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire)Anti-knife campaigner Edwin Duggan, from Shotton, said while he understands the push to tackle 'zombie knives,' he feels the focus on this particular type of item has come about because they are 'popular' and will eventually die down.

The emphasis of the efforts to tackle knife crime, Mr Duggan said, needs to be at the start - in changing the attitude of children.

Mr Duggan, who has been calling on the Government for several months to consider the creation of a Dedicated Minister for the Prevention of Knife Crime, is encouraging parents to have a discussion with their children about the issue, pointing those who need further guidance to resources available on the Social Workers Toolbox website.

He said: "The problem isn't so much the purchase and sale of these knives.

"The Offensive Weapons Act has a massive list of sharp instruments and weapons of all descriptions.

"All kinds of legislation can be put in place and the sale of these knives can be banned - and that's all well and good.

"But if a child or a young person want to carry a knife, all they have to do is go to their kitchen.

"The aim of my campaign is to nip that in the bud because it's about educating children when they're young enough.

Edwin Duggan (Image: Edwin Duggan)"Children feel they should carry knives because they're afraid to go out without one.

"But the fact they have one on them poses a problem because if there is an altercation, in that situation it is likely to be used.

"And the consequences are so detrimental. That very knife could even be taken and used on them."

Mr Duggan said on his comments about there being no "one size fits all," he agrees with Mr Elba.

"We're on the same page there," he said.

"The emphasis of the debate over the last 24 to 48 hours has been about the end product; putting kids in jail for six months, 12 months, two years - that's not going to achieve anything.

"The sentence is the end point. I truly believe we need to deal with the beginning, and that's all about the education.

"There has to be a conversation between parent and child, child and teacher, about the consequences of even carrying a knife."