Hull knife murder a ‘never-ending nightmare’ for grieving mum

There were more than 50,000 reported knife crime offences in England and Wales in the 12 months to March 2024, including 900 in the Humberside force area, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.

Humberside Police’s campaign is being backed by several bereaved families, including relatives of both Tom Gaughan, 32, who was stabbed on a night out in Cleethorpes in July last year, and Jack Howes, 29, who suffered fatal knife wounds and was left dying in a Grimsby street.

Det Supt Al Curtis, who is leading the campaign, said most knife incidents involved general household items, which were used “as a result of momentary madness”, with “deadly consequences”.

“Whether you find yourself in a confrontational situation at home, or are thinking about carrying a knife for your protection, ask yourself, ‘what is the point?’ One knife impacts more than one life,” he added.

He urged people to hand in knives as part of Operation Sceptre, the national knife amnesty, which begins on 11 November.