EXCLUSIVE: Bristol family to impact government policy on knife crime
The Home Secretary has written to Shanine Wright, who's brother Darrian Williams was murdered in Easton last year
The family of murdered Bristol teenager Darrian Williams has been formally invited to join the government's efforts against knife crime, after Greatest Hits Radio suggested the idea to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Darrian was 16 when he was stabbed in Easton's Rawnsley Park on Valentines Day 2024, by two teenagers who are now serving life behind bars.
HIs older sister Shanine Wright has been campaigning against knife crime ever since and on the anniversary of Darrian's death, unveiled a bleed control cabinet in his memory in Beaumont Street next to where he was attacked.
Now, Greatest Hits Radio can reveal Shanine has received a letter from Home Secretary Yvette Cooper asking for her help in preventing more deaths.
The letter
In the letter, which you can see in full below, the Home Secretary writes: "I know it has just passed the one year anniversary of Darrian Williams' murder.
"This is undoubtedly a difficult time and I want to express my deepest condolences for your loss. No family should have to endure such pain and yet, in the face of tragedy, you have shown incredible strength and dedication in honouring Darrian's memory...
"I understand you would like to be involved in the shaping of government policy around knife crime. I am therefore pleased, on behalf of the Prime Minister, to formally invite you to become a member of the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime, which I lead as Home Secretary..."
Shanine receives the letter several weeks after we met Sir Keir Starmer in Bristol, when he paid tribute to Darrian's family.
He said: "Firstly I'd say I remember profoundly (the events of) a year ago and being shocked by what had happened. My thoughts were with the family and they remain with the family.
"I want to thank them for what they're doing on these bleed kits which are hugely important...(and) I'd invite them respectfully, to work with us.
"We'd like to work with them because we do need to bare down on knife crime."
What is the Coalition?
One of Labour's election pledges was that if voted into power, Sir Keir Starmer's party would work to halve knife crime within 10 years.
As part of that pledge, last September the government founded an anti knife-crime coalition featuring community members, bereaved families and even the actor Idris Elba, which now meets every month or so, in Westminster, to discuss potential policy.
One of those already involved in it is 21-year-old Bristol boxing coach Serena Weibe, who lost her close friend Eddie King Muthemba Kinuthia to knife crime in 2023. She has previously told Greatest Hits Radio that she believes more people her age should be at the meetings.
Continuing to speak to us about this last month, the Prime Minister said: "The more people involved the better, particularly young people.
"It's really important that we all recognise that young people bring a huge amount to this. They help us with some of the ways in which we can get to those that we most need to work with, so I would encourage them and many young people to come forward and work with us...
"They have to be a central focus for this."
Shanine's response
Responding to the Home Secretary's invite, Shanine said: "The tragic loss of my brother Darrian Williams to knife violence has profoundly impacted my life and I feel a deep sense of responsibility to engage in efforts aimed at tackling this critical issue.
"It is an honour to collaborate with the Home Office and other members of the Coalition to work towards significant changes in our communities.
"I am committed to leveraging my experience and passion to advocate for effective measures that combat knife crime and prevent further tragedies."