‘Kids get stabbed and don’t even report it’: knife crime campaigners speak out after Altrincham stabbing

An anti-knife crime charity has confiscated over 400 knives from children in the last two years, they have revealed.

Following the death of Tyson Fury’s cousin Rico Burton over the weekend, the Wythenshawe-born boxer spoke out to condemn those who carried knives and call for stronger sentences.

We spoke to the JJ Effect CIC, a charity focused on educating young people in the North West on the dangers of knife crime has taken around 445 bladed weapons from school children, including fountain pens that can turn into “push daggers”.

Byron Highton, the founder of The JJ Effect CIC said: “The youngest child we’ve ever taken a knife off is six.

“It’s unbelievable the stories we hear of kids getting stabbed and not reporting it.

“Until the blood is leaking out of their body, they will not learn the consequences.”

The Merosworld foundation, a charity set up after the death of 16-year-old Rhamero West in 2021 has also spoken out against the recent knife-related deaths seen in the region.

The charity’s co-founder Deanne Brown said: “Merosworld is saddened to hear about the number of lives being taken as a result of knife crime in recent weeks.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to all the families that have been impacted. Our foundation will continue to raise awareness and provide areas within Manchester with vital life saving equipment.

“We truly believe in rehabilitation for these young people, we just all need to come together in numbers to make this happen.”