"It's easy to pick up a knife" - Wolverhampton teen stabbed 6 times shares story of turning life around

Kairo Williams is now a member and young leader at InPower in Wolverhampton.

Author: Katie JonesPublished 24th Jun 2024
Last updated 24th Jun 2024

Stabbed six times and involved in gang violence as a teenager - a 17-year-old from Wolverhampton is now teaching young people about the dangers of gang violence.

We've been speaking to Kairo Williams who told us he never expected to be where is now after a difficult start in life.

Kairo said: "Young people in this generation can be easily led to do something by being exploited - it's easy to pick up a knife and do something.

"I'm not saying I'm happy with all the things I went through but if I didn't go through everything I did, I would not be the person I am now and I'm too far forward to go back to where I was.

"Knife crime in youths is only going to get worse and those carrying knives will get younger and younger - it's time now to stop it before it's too late."

Kairo is now a young leader at InPower - a martial arts group in Wolverhampton that campaigns to stop knife crime. It's STOP campaign - Stop Tools Oppressing People - educates young people about the dangers of carrying a knife. It runs intervention schemes in schools and youth centres.

Kairo's using his own experience to educate children about the reality of knife crime.

He added: "I never saw myself being here and I wouldn't be where I am now without InPower - it's essential and powerful."

Kairo said the group helped him control his anger, while he focused on trying to improve himself and help others.

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