REDDITCH MP Chris Bloore has praised the work being done by local anti-knife crime campaigner Pete Martin and called on the Home Secretary to visit Redditch to witness the positive impact of community-led prevention work.
Speaking during Home Office Questions in the House of Commons, Mr Bloore welcomed the Government’s latest actions to address knife crime, including tougher legislation, targeted funding and the new Young Futures prevention programme.
But he highlighted the role of people like Pete Martin, who is delivering educational workshops in Redditch schools to steer young people away from violence.
He also warned that Redditch and towns like it need greater support, referencing recent shocking incidents involving machete-wielding thugs at local bus stations and reports of people being threatened in broad daylight.
He said: “In Redditch, the anti-knife-crime campaigner Pete Martin is making a real difference by educating young people in schools about the dangers of knife crime.
“Will the Secretary of State consider visiting Redditch to see Pete’s work first hand and the real difference that it is making in our schools?”
In response, the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper MP, thanked Pete Martin and his team for their work and welcomed the opportunity to learn more about grassroots prevention efforts.
Mr Bloore also used the opportunity to highlight the scale of the challenge both locally and nationally.
Recent statistics showed knife crime offences rose by 4.4 per cent in England and Wales last year, with over 50,500 incidents recorded.
The MP added: “Knife crime ruins lives and too often young people are the victims.
“Pete Martin’s work is saving lives by giving our young people the tools, knowledge and confidence to make safer choices.
“I’m proud to stand up for this work in Parliament and I’ll continue to fight for more investment in youth services, education and crime prevention here in Redditch.”
