Anti-knife campaign gathering momentum
AN anti-knife campaign launched in the wake of a suspected fatal stabbing in Runcorn has appealed for residents to do their bit and become committee members as it tries to maintain the momentum from its initial launch.
Live Your Life – Drop The Knife was created by Louis Bamber, a family friend of 18-year-old Eddie O’Rourke who died after suffering serious injuries outside the Halton Royal British Legion in Halton Village on September 7.
Mr Bamber, originally from Murdishaw and now living in the Old Town, had a surge of support when the initiative was launched alongside a balloon release and vigil in memory of the deceased, and committee membership rapidly boomed to seven residents.
But some of those have had to leave due to other commitments and it has fallen back to four members.
He said work is under way to keep the momentum going from when the campaign first launched and attracted a reach of nearly 90,000 Facebook users.
The campaign has now taken part in several neighbourhood knife sweeps around Runcorn working in conjunction with Runcorn police, public safety chief Cllr Dave Cargill and others.
After a mixed start to the initiative when the search uncovered some potentially dangerous items but no knives, perseverance has now paid off with the last two sweeps, most recently in Palacefields on Friday where, along with help from Runcorn ABC boxing club and The Bridge School, the search located a slew of weapons including combat or hunting knives, a baseball bat, screwdriver and gel pistol.
Discussing the wider situation in Runcorn, Mr Bamber said one of the main challenges is improving access to youth services and things to do.
He said: “The best thing to do is keep doing these knife sweeps and engaging the community centres. I know the Shopping City is planning to open a youth zone. Let’s see what we can do.
“Our bottom line is we want to bridge the gap between the authorities and the community.
“We want to show the community where the support is. I know everyone is underfunded but there’s so many voluntary organisations that don’t get any recognition who could be so beneficial.
“We want to bridge that gap. These are lads, some are involved in drugs and rest of it.
“I’m one of the few working alongside the police who’s not getting called a ‘grass’. They’ve got so much respect. “I’m doing it for them. “There’s nothing for anyone to do any more. “This behaviour that’s steadily increasing, some of the kids do think the law doesn’t apply to them.
“That’s because our policing is so underfunded.”
The Live Your Life – Drop The Knife committee is looking for recruits with experience in fundraising, graphics design, media and social media, youth work.
Roles to fill include a secretary.
Some daytime activities are expected so volunteers who can give their normal working hours are sought, thought this could be temporary.
Anyone working with under-18s will be checked by the Disclosure And Barring Service, formerly known as the Criminal Records Bureau.
They will also have to adhere to the group’s code of conduct and policies on equal opportunities and child protection and safeguarding.
For more information visit www.liveyourlifedroptheknife.co.uk, and email enquiries to info@ liveyourlifedroptheknife. co.uk