Dudley teenagers say carrying knives is the norm
Over a thousand knife crime-related offences were committed by young people between 2022 and 2024
Teenagers in Dudley told us carrying knives is the norm, and they said the problem is a lack of role models.
Over a thousand knife crime-related offences were committed by young people between 2022 and 2024
How is the West Midlands tackling youth violence?
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner is funding projects like 'Plain Speaking' in Dudley to tackle the number of young people carrying knives.
This project uses music to get young people to talk about their struggles and their emotions.
Each week, young people in Dudley have dinner together and then record rap music in the studio with the help of sound engineer Tony Osbourne and rapper RA (Real Artillery).
'Like family'
The session is run by Chris Clacken who mentors the young people. 15-year-old Divine said without Chris, he would probably be in prison:
"He knows everything I do because I talk to him. He is basically like family to me. Around Dudley, kids usually carry knives, these days.
"We all go through stuff but the problem is we do not talk about it. It would be worth having more mentors like Chris. I tell him stuff and I feel better," he said.
The stats...
Between 1st January 2022 and 29th October 2024, 1073 knife crime-related offences were committed by children aged 10-17.
The number of offences in 2024 was less than 2023.
There were less young people charged with knife crime-related offences last year too.
'Music is the hook'
Mentor Chris Clacken said the group is grateful for the financial support from the Police and Crime Commissioner and Violence Reduction Partnership:
"We want to do the preventative work because we can identify the young people who are at risk, who are going to be the troublesome ones in future.
"Music is the hook because a lot of young people express themselves through music. It helps us, as mentors, to get into more difficult conversations with the young people who need that extra support," he said.
'Safe space'
Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, Simon Foster, said: "These music and mentoring programmes are creating a safe space for young people to express their emotions.
"It is taking them away from a dangerous lifestyle and providing them with an outlet, where they can reflect on those past experiences and traumas and move forward.
"To hear one of the mentees say, that he wants to change and stay out of jail to set a good example for his younger siblings, is prevention in action," he said.