Knife crime has nearly doubled in Coventry over the last five years, figures obtained by the Observer reveal
It has become a burning issue after the recent fatal stabbing of 21-year-old Fidel Glasgow – the grandson of Specials legend Neville Staple – which has sparked renewed campaigning to end knife crime.
The number of incidents in the city has increased from 164 in 2012/13 to 307 by the end of 2017/18.
Figures also show there have been 162 cases of knife crime so far in 2018/19.
It is despite West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson’ figures showing more than 200,000 students in the region have been educated about the dangers of knife crime since 2010.
The Precious Lives Project works with young people in schools to divert them away from violence.
The rise in knife crime in Coventry is in line with the pattern in the West Midlands, which saw 2,845 incidents in 2017/18 compared to 1,498 in 2012/13.
The rise in the last five years follows several years of falling knife crime in Coventry since 2010, when there were 400 incidents.
The Precious Lives Project primarily focuses on knife crime but sessions also cover anti-social behaviour.
As part of the scheme, Alison Cope, a mother from Birmingham whose son Joshua was fatally stabbed in September 2013, tours the region’s schools telling her story.
The aim is to warn youngsters about the dangers of carrying knives.
The scheme reaches out to secondary school pupils and some primary school pupils aged as young as 10.
Mr Jamieson said: “Teaching our young people about the dangers of carrying knives is of the utmost importance.
“I firmly believe this project is saving lives.
“Alison Cope and PC Rob Pedley are able to reach out to young people at an early age and steer them away from violence and crime.”
I had the impression it had doubled over the last year, let alone over five years?
