PCC joined residents in Bristol North East to discuss knife crime concerns 

Early this week I joined a knife crime community event in Kingswood organised by Damien Egan MP for Bristol North East. About 50 people attended the event which was held at Creative Youth Network.

I am indebted to other event panellists, Hayley Ryall, the mother of Mikey Roynan and the founder of Mike’s World, and to Joanne, another parent who shared her experiences. Mikey died from a single stab in June 2023 in Bath. In 2024, three teenagers were found guilty of killing Mikey. Joanne’s son was stabbed on his way home from school, an attack he thankfully survived. I applaud them for their courage to speak. And Chief Inspector Mike Vass who shared police approaches to addressing knife crime across the force area and learnings from other police services. 

 Listening to both parents reminded all of us of the human cost of knife crime. The impact of knife crime and violence is devastating. My thoughts continue to be with the families and communities shattered by these tragedies. 

 It is evident knife crime has become a significant issue across the country, with increasing incidents sparking widespread concern among the public, law enforcement, and policymakers. 

At the end of 2024, the Youth Endowment Fund published the results of its national annual survey of 10,000 children aged 13-17 on violence. Its findings are concerning: 

• 20% had been a victim of violence in past 12 months.  
• 67% expressed concern about becoming victims.
• A third had avoided places/events due to their concerns.  

 This is not the life we want for our children. This is one of the reasons why I have included Prevent Crime and Reducing Violent Crime with a special focus on Serious Youth Violence, as key priorities in my Police and Crime Plan. I will hold the police to account to ensure that they are making measurable impact on this issue.

 From the round table discussions and questions from the community at the event, the need to stop violence from happening in the first place was stressed. The community raised concerns such as lack of visible policing, wanting to see more PCSOs on the ground, lack of mental health support in schools, the need to re-look at school exclusions, family support, and a lack of consequences for children and young people.

To understand its root causes and address them, it needs a collective response, from the police, other public sector agencies, the amazing grassroots organisations who work locally with children every day and our communities.

Prevention work does not always make headlines, but early intervention, trauma informed approaches, and community support are essential for long term change which is why it is one of my main priorities in my Police and Crime Plan.

Above all, listening to our children and young people is important, we must involve them in identifying solutions that will really work. 

Knife crime is a complex issue and requires comprehensive strategies that involve law enforcement, community engagement, education, and socioeconomic development. I am committed as your Police and Crime Commissioner and as chair of the Violence Reduction Partnership to work towards reducing knife crime and ensuring safer communities for all.