Musical youth club’s anti-knife message

AS knife crime continues to blight Britain, we are told on an almost daily basis of yet another young stabbing on the streets where we live.

This prompted one determined group of Oldham teenagers to send out their vital message that blades are bad news via the medium of music.

SHOCKING statistics by the Department of Health revealed that nearly 14,000 stab wound victims were treated in hospital last year — 20 per cent more than five years ago.

Figures suggest a whopping 38 patients a day were admitted to A&E departments with injuries caused by bladed weapons.

The news comes as a spate of high-profile knife attacks against young people rocked the country.

In July alone, the murders of 16 year-olds Shakilus Townsend and Ben Kinsella both angered and shocked. Then there was the horrific attack on two French students which was particularly gruesome.

Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez (both 23) were found butchered to death with a total of 243 separate knife wounds.

A deadly arsenal of weapons was also found by police in local secondary schools in the same month.

The grim headlines prompted one group of Werneth youngsters to raise awareness of the consequences of knife crime through a music project.

Youth workers Greg Cookson and Dion Roach, who is also the project leader, have been running “Positive Action for Young People” with Oldham Youth Service at 146 Youth Centre on Werneth Hall Road, during the summer holidays.

Mr Cookson explained: “Many young people have been affected by knife crime in some way or another through family or friends.

“Young people have expressed their feelings about the horrendous crime through two songs which they have written themselves and are recording them on to a CD.

“This will be distributed to all youth centres and possibly schools.”

Mr Roach said the group was determined to make a difference and help reduce such incidents by making their voices heard.

He also showed them disturbing videos of what knife-related injuries can result in and how they can affect a victim’s family.

He added: “I have been with the team of 12 youngsters and we have talked about the consequences of knife crime.

“It is something they are very concerned about as a community.”

Faizan Sajad (16) said he found the project a breath of fresh air.

He added: “It has been interesting. At the moment, there are a lot of issues with drugs and gang culture in Werneth.

“The project has made me realise that you should always think before you do something bad and not act in the heat of the moment.”

Junaid Farooq (13) reckons a person can lose a lot of respect by getting involved with knives.

He added: “I always had it in my head that people fought to gain respect and to give themselves a big name.

“Some people fight to show off in front of their mates and boast how hard they are.

“Through the project I have learned that you can lose a lot by getting involved in such crimes.

“For example, your family’s reputation. Also, if you have a criminal record it will become difficult to get a job.

“I would never go down that road and I feel sorry for people who do. My advice to other young people is not to get involved because you will struggle throughout life.”

Amir Hussain (16) added: “Knife crime is bad — full stop.

“It could lead to death, jail sentences and those responsible could lose respect in the community.

“Although they won’t be too bothered about that, it is their parents and brothers and sisters who will suffer the most.

“I have always been against knife crime. The project has helped me to gain a better understanding of its dangers and consequences.”