Review opens after Shawn Seesahai murdered in Wolverhampton
Two 13-year-olds were sentenced to life with a minimum of eight years for killing Shawn Seesahai in a "random" attack in Wolverhampton.
A review has been launched following the death of Shawn Seesahai, 19, who was killed in a random machete attack in Wolverhampton last November.
His killers - who were 12 at the time - were sentenced on Friday (27 Sept) to life, with a minimum term of eight years after being convicted of his killing.
The now 13-year-olds stabbed Shawn with a machete in an unprovoked attack by the Stowlawn playing fields on 13 November 2023.
Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together is conducting a review into the case to learn how to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again.
Chairwoman, Alison Hinds, said: "Though incidents such as the one last November are rare, when they do occur it is very important that all agencies involved are able to review what happened to see whether anything could and should be done differently to help reduce the chance of something similar happening again.
"As a safeguarding partnership, we are following appropriate processes and have commissioned a Child Safeguarding Practice Review, which is currently underway. It seeks to identify key learning points for agencies involved in the safeguarding of children and young people in our city and any ways in which practice may be improved in the future.
“We expect to receive the independent author’s report early next year, but if there are any learning points identified as the review progresses the agencies involved will implement any necessary changes before then.
"Everyone has a role to play in preventing youth violence – the council, the police, health, the voluntary and community sector, schools, parents, families friends and the wider public."
A new law banning zombie-knives and machetes came into force last week, meaning anyone caught with one could face time behind bars.
Ms Hinds continued: "We've also supported the recent zombie-style knife and machete amnesty and welcome the fact that these deadly weapons are now banned. I'd remind anyone who has a weapon of any sort at home that they can still be disposed of at one of the six weapon surrender bins which we have around the city."
The West Midlands has the highest rate of knife crime in England and Wales.