Knife crime: The families working to educate young people across the West Midlands
We're hearing from bereaved families who are working for change
Last updated 18th Apr 2024
After a spate of fatal stabbings in the West Midlands since the start of 2024, we're shining a light on the devastation caused by knife crime.
Figures show, on average over the last five years, one person has been stabbed to death nearly every fortnight in our region.
We're bringing together families from across the West Midlands - who have lost loved ones - to share their stories, and their efforts to help tackle the root causes.
"Too many young people are throwing their futures away"
Today, we're hearing from one mum whose spent the last 10 years since her son's murder, using her experience to help teach others about the consequences of carrying a weapon.
Alison Cope's son Joshua Ribera was stabbed outside a nightclub in Selly Oak in September 2013.
The 18-year-old died hours later in hospital. His killer was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Over the last decade, Alison has spoken to thousands of young people in schools, colleges and prisons, and worked with a number of police forces across the country, to share her anti-violence message.
We joined her during a session at King Solomon School in Birmingham, where she shared her story with both primary and secondary children.
"I do the session the way that I do it in the hope that they suddenly think about themselves," Alison told us.
"It's to inspire them to think about their story, and their future story, because we're seeing too many young people throw their futures away.
"They have to leave the session with a thought in their head that if they do something wrong, what's it's going to actually mean to them? We've seen too many lives lost and too many young people in prison."
"We need to make our young people feel safer"
Since January this year, three boys have been stabbed to death in the West Midlands.
Muhammad Hassan Ali, 17, was attacked and died in Victoria Square, Birmingham on 20 January.
Harleigh Hepworth, 17, was stabbed to death in West Park, Wolverhampton on 7 March.
Isaac Brown, 15, was attacked and died in New Square, West Bromwich on 7 April.
Asked for her thoughts on the recent spate of tragedies, Alison told us: "We've got an entire generation that are scared of each other, that is fuelling a negative reaction to each other, which is leading to stabbings.
"We need to make our young people feel safer, and see the reality that if you do pick up a knife, what's it really going to mean for you and your family."
Support
There are a number of groups and organisations who offer support to bereaved families, as well anti-knife crime advice and guidance for parents, carers and schools.
You can find some of those here:
West Midlands Police - Life or Knife