'Primary school children' getting lured into gangs - according to Sheffield charity

We've been speaking to Anthony Olaseinde from 'Always an alternative' - which is an anti-knife crime organisation in Sheffield

Author: Chris Davis-SmithPublished 13th Jan 2025

We're hearing children - who haven't even reached secondary school age - are getting lured into gangs across South Yorkshire & North Derbyshire.

Anthony Olaseinde is an anti knife-crime-campaigner in Sheffield.

He believes youth violence in the city is getting worse:

"When we speak to young people in the city - conflict is just a bit of fun for them.

"Unfortunately, I'm getting a lot of calls from primary schools, and I'm having to go in and talk about gangs and knife crime.

"It's upsetting - I'd have been mortified if this sort of thing was happening when my kids were at primary school.

"Young people need to remember that carrying a knife isn't a form of protection.

"Hopefully, this is the year where we can really crack down on knife crime.

Sheffield City Council plan to hold a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the issue - due to the recent number of school exclusions increasing.

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