Ex-gang member calls for bold action to tackle knife crime in our area

As police continue a massive crackdown on knife crime, we're hearing from an ex-gang member about what needs to be done to tackle it.

"I lay there and I cried out for my life because I thought I was dying." said Mark Bracewell.

"The fact, for the rest of my life I have to live with a physical deformity and disability because somebody chose to carry a knife."

46-year-old mark Mark now lives in Stoke-on-Trent but grew up in Moss Side, Manchester.

He spends his time working with young people across Staffordshire and the North West sharing his experiences and understanding of the devastation knives cause.

"Yes it's glorified and it's glamorised - but it's nothing like that. Nothing like this. It's filled with sorrow and sadness and tears and fear." Mark told us.

He served time in prison for a knife related crime before, some time after, he lost his eye after being stabbed in the face.

Firm and major changes needed to address the issue

"I'm shouting and screaming for national service." said Mark.

"It might seem a bit harsh but when they're in prison what are they learning? Nothing. They're not coming out with no skills, and they're just ending up back on the streets. Why don't we make it mandatory that when you're caught with a knife out in the open, you have to serve 3 years in the military.

"And, more feet on the streets. That's what it needs - more feet on the streets. And unfortunately we can't get them people on them streets and communicating and working with them kids unless it's funded."

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Hits Radio app.