Knife crime campaigner in South Yorkshire calls for tougher laws around weapons
Anthony Olaseinde says there needs to be more of a deterrent to tackle knife crime across local communities
A knife crime campaigner in South Yorkshire tells us more needs to be done to stop knives being used in our communities.
It's as the government says that from April, they want to make it harder for under 18's to buy the weapons.
Anthony Olaseinde works with young people in Sheffield and has installed a number of local knife amnesty bins.
He believes a way of combatting the problem is making kids feel safer:
"Ultimately, if you carry a weapon such as a knife, you are scared.
"A lot more needs to be done to address this ongoing issue. Why are the young people so scared?
"What are these youngsters so scared of? Why have we allowed these young people to become scared to the point that they feel they have to carry weapons?
"Whose responsibility is it to allow them to feel safer? All these questions need addressing in society."
Mr. Olaseinde also insists laws around all aspects of knife crime need looking at:
"My way of thinking is, if the laws are being strengthened around the selling of knives to under 18's, then why aren't the criminal sentences being extended for those who are caught carrying a knife on more than one occasion?
"The laws also need looking at for those who've carried out a stabbing. Harsher punishments are required. The thing is as well, a lot of weapons are sold on the internet, so how are you going to regulate that?
"It's a whole new kettle of fish."