Fresh calls from North East parents to add Knife Crime to the national curriculum
As part of our #KnifeFreeNE campaign, we’re backing calls for children to be taught about the dangers of carrying weapons.
Last updated 1st Mar 2023
There's been a wave of fatal stabbings across the North East, many involving children. To tackle the issue, we're backing calls for Knife Crime to be put on the national curriculum.
Holly Newton, a 15-year-old girl lost her life in January, after being stabbed in Hexham. Holly was found injured in the centre of the town before being taken to hospital.
Another teenager was also taken to hospital, suffering non life-threatening injuries.
A 16-year-old boy, who can't be named for legal reasons has been charged with murder, attempted murder and having a knife.
Gordon Gault, 14-years-old, died in November after being fatally stabbed in Newcastle. Gordon was taken to hospital but died 6 days later. There's been 20 arrests over the killing, but no charges yet. Police are still appealing for people with any information, to come forward.
In October, Tomasz Oleszak, 14-years-old, died in hospital after being fatally stabbed in Gateshead. Tomasz passed away in hospital the following morning. A 14-year-old boy has been charged with the murder, attempted wounding and possession of a bladed article.
Theresa Cave founded The Chris Cave Foundation after her son, Chris, was fatally stabbed in 2003 in Redcar. Sine then, Theresa has been actively campaigning and educating around knife crime.
The foundation delivers workshops in schools, as well as in the community. It's had huge praise from locals, campaigners and MPs, including Redcar's Jacob Young:
"I've seen it first hand the transformative effect that it can have one young people. Just educating them on the dangers of carrying knives. Theresa Cave deserves immense credit."
Theresa has been pushing for these topics to be covered on the national curriculum for years, so it becomes more than an optional extra for schools.
Another campaigner wanting to see this is Tanya Brown, who founded the Connor Brown Trust.
Tanya's son, Connor was fatally stabbed in 2019 in Sunderland. The Connor Brown trust aims to educate children and young people about the dangers of knife crime and create a positive legacy in Connor's name.
Whilst Tanya would like to see Knife Crime on the national curriculum, she told us it's important organisations and voices like hers should be a part of it to ensure the right messages get delivered, and living experience is shared.
You can hear more of our Knives Free North East campaign in our bulletins and on Twitter #KnivesFreeNE