Aldridge parents say dangers of knife crime cannot be 'sugar coated' to children anymore
It follows the death of a 15-year-old at a Sheffield school
Parents from Aldridge say the dangers of knife crime cannot be 'sugar coated' to children anymore, after a 15-year-old was stabbed to death at a school in Sheffield.
15 year old Harvey Willgoose was attacked yesterday (3rd Feb) at around midday at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield, with a 15 year old boy still being questioned on suspicion of murder.
What is the James Brindley Foundation?
Beverley Brindley and Mark Brindley lost their son James, when he was stabbed in Aldridge in 2017.
Since then, they have been campaigning with the 'James Brindley foundation', attending schools and sharing their story with young people in the West Midlands.
Mark Brindley told us it was only a matter of time before a child died at the hands of a knife at school:
"Some young people still think that if they stab someone, they might come back to life.
"It sounds utterly ridiculous, but some young people are so used to what they see on video games that they actually think that," he said.
How can we prevent children getting involved with knife crime?
He also set up mentoring with students that are a concern in schools in the region, helping to lead them on the right path.
"The result we have with young people who have gang affiliations are fantastic.
"75% of children like this told us they feel they can turn their back on this lifestyle, after we have worked with them," he said.
Following the death of Harvey Willgoose in Sheffield, Mark told us he wants the education he does in the West Midlands, to be implemented nationwide.
"Children of all ages need to be taught about the dangers of carrying a knife.
"Ideally, it should start as early as possible so that young people have the knowledge and resilience to push back on the pressure to carry a knife," he said.