Keelan Wilson murder: Call for new approach on knife crime
The death of a 15-year-old boy in Wolverhampton has been described as a tragedy by two city leaders who have called for more work to be done on tackling knife crime.
Wolverhampton South West MP Eleanor Smith and council leader Roger Lawrence want a new approach which involves health and education.
Ms Smith, whose constituency includes Merry Hill, said: “This is a tragic and terrible incident.
“My heart goes out to the family. It must be traumatising for them. This young man never got to live his full life and achieve his potential.”
On tackling knife crime, she added: “Putting more officers on the streets is essential, but the police have to work with education, health and other public services to deliver a solution to violent crime. We must be educating our young people not to carry knives.”
More coverage on the investigation:
'He was an angel' - Devastated grandfather pays tribute to murder victim Keelan Wilson
Councillor Lawrence said the city was looking at Scotland, where the number of knife offences have fallen, for ideas on how to tackle the crime.
In Scotland a violence reduction unit was set up, separate from police, which combined a policing approach with health and education work sectors.
Councillor Lawrence said: “It is very upsetting and a real tragedy. One’s heart goes out to the family of the person killed. Its a sad day."
In March, a fourth knife surrender bin was introduced in Wolverhampton, and there could be more coming.
Councillor Lawrence said: “This is something that we will continue to promote and work on.”
Merry Hill ward Councillor Simon Bennett said: “There needs to be another look at knife amnesties in Wolverhampton so we can work with young people and avoid further fatal incidents.”
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said he was investing money into mentoring schemes for young people and employing mediators to tackle gang violence which plagues communities.
