Decision makers who tackle knife crime must fully understand it says Staffordshire campaigner
He says that those around the table need to fully understand it
A Staffordshire campaigner says people making decisions on tackling knife crime need to be those who see it and understand it first hand.
Danny Mondesir runs the Staffordshire Street Whyze Project CIC. He told Hits Radio News: "Whilst you have leaders of organisations like police, as it filters down throughout the organisations there becomes barriers formed by bureaucracy. Where you have people making decisions who don't necessarily have the experience or the understanding of youth violence.
"As things filter down through public sector organisations, the message gets lost and barriers are put in place by people who are chosen to make decisions about what needs to be done who don't necessarily have that required skillset." said Danny.
"I can't apologise for that because we're in a situation where people are losing their lives."
A nationwide call to hand over zombie-style knives and machetes has been launched by the government, before these dangerous weapons are banned from our streets.
From 24 September, it will be illegal to own zombie-style knives and machetes as they will be added to the list of dangerous prohibited items already banned, including zombie knives, butterfly knives, Samurai swords and push daggers.
Ahead of the new ban coming into force, anyone who has one of these weapons is being urged to hand them over - safely and legally.
This scheme will be run at police stations across England and Wales for four weeks between 26 August and 23 September, without repercussions for surrendering these potentially dangerous knives safely.
Individuals can also anonymously dispose of these weapons using safe, surrender bins, by contacting their local police, council or an anti-knife crime charity to find out about alternative options, other than police stations, in their area.
After 24 September, anyone caught with a zombie-style knife or a machete faces time behind bars.
Early intervention is also key to addressing the problem, says Danny.
"Earlier intervention around the consequences of carrying knives." he said.
"Earliest intervention around looking at positive aspirations and not following an urban culture that's currently out there for a lot of young people. Not following negative role modelling and not following the chasing of quick money and crime."
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