Young people scared to go out as calls grow for a new youth centre in Birmingham
Campaigners are stepping up efforts to open a new youth centre after the murder of a 14 year old
Young people in Birmingham say they're scared to go out as calls grow for a new youth centre in Birmingham following the death of 14 year old Dea-John Reid.
The teenager was stabbed to death on College Road in Kingstanding in May 2021, and since then, campaigners saying they're increasing their efforts to open a safe space in the city.
"People my age should be going out and having fun, instead we're keeping our heads down...because of the stuff that happens."
Our week-long investigation is looking at why a youth centre's needed, starting with talking to young people in parts of the city where violence is taking place. Near the scene where Dea-John was killed, 14 year old Ebon'ii, tells us what life is like in the city; "For people to be this young and scared of going out, it's really really bad. We should just be able to go out where we want to go, but because of this we feel stopped." When asked about whether the death of Dea-John Reid shocked her, Ebon'ii replied; "It was sad to hear he had his life taken so soon, but I wasn't really surprised because a lot of young people get stabbed".
Dea-John's family say opening a new youth centre is something they would support to help tackle violence in future. Ebonii, who travels half an hour just to get to a kickboxing class, says youth services are too outdated;