"More education is needed" says Kent anti knife crime campaigner
Andy Richardson runs the Metanoia Project in Ashford
Anti Knife Crime Campaigner from Ashford has told us the ban on zombie knives is a 'good first step' but 'more education' is needed to help people.
A new law sees it illegal to possess “zombie-style” knives and machetes in England and Wales.
The new legislation will close a legal loophole and make it an offence to own, make, transport or sell a wide range of what are called “statement” knives favoured by criminal gangs.
Zombie-style knives and machetes are defined as weapons with blades over eight inches (20cm) in length, normally with a serrated cutting edge.
A knife surrender and compensation scheme has been running over the last month to encourage people to surrender their weapons ahead of the ban.
Andy Richardson runs the Metanoia Project, which helps young people involved in knife crime in Ashford, he said: "I believe it's a positive first step because if you can't get hold of these type of knives then they won't be on the street.
However, if you get into the core of it then there is a fascination with knives in general, knife crime isn't just about zombie knives, it is much broader, people will take their kitchen knives out.
"Just taking these knives off the table isn't going to stop crime. I firmly believe if we are going to tackle this then it has to be conjunction with education and prevention work and actually teaching young people about the real risks for carrying a knife and getting involved in this culture.
"The knife isn't the root cause, the carrying the knife is three or four steps removed from the root cause. Actually why are young people feeling the need to be carrying a knife, that's the root cause and that's why intervention and prevention and education is key.
If you can tackle that then you stop it becoming an issue a few steps down the line."