Knife crime: Young people’s fears over blades and violence

James was walking to his parents’ home in Aldridge when he was attacked, sustaining a knife wound through the heart.

His family has described how his loss has devastated their lives, but they now say he is their “inspiration to create a worthy and lasting legacy”.

Nicola Neville, from the JBF, external, says she was shocked to hear so many of these students had experienced knife crime first hand.

“The big message we get from young people is fear. A lot of young people are scared, even the ones that end up carrying knives,” she says.

“It’s normally because they’ve felt unsafe, unprotected and want to feel more powerful”.

Isabelle, 12, tells the BBC: “Last year, there was a person who came into school armed with a knife because he was being bullied. He threatened a group of girls.”