Drop The Knife appeal praised in Parliament
AKNIFE crime charity formed in Runcorn following the death of an 18-year-old last year has been praised in Parliament.
Mike Amesbury MP, whose Weaver Vale constituency covers much of east Runcorn, hailed the ‘excellent’ work done by Live Your Life Drop The Knife (LYLDTK) as he called for more police funding to tackle the blight of offences involving blades.
The Labour MP’s comments came during a debate on Knife Crime Prevention Orders, which have been announced by Tory Home Secretary Sajid Javid and can include curfews and limits on geographic movements and social media use in a bid to stop rival disputes escalating.
Live Your Life Drop The Knife was founded by Louis Bamber, 22, of Runcorn following the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Eddie O’Rourke.
Since its launch, the group has worked with organisations including the police and held multiple neighbourhood knife sweeps clearing public areas of a terrifying assortment of stashed weapons.
It also provides advice and education aimed at turning young people away from knives.
During the Commons debate, Mr Amesbury said: “As we speak, Live Your Life Drop The Knife is doing some excellent work in schools in the Runcorn part of my constituency.
“The community could do an even better job if the Government reversed the £56m of cuts imposed on Cheshire police.
“When are they going to do that?”
Speaking outside the chamber, he said: “It’s hugely admirable what ordinary people are doing to try and fight the scourge of knife crime in our society, but we also need more funding for our front-line police officers, with up to another 250 set to be lost in Cheshire over the next two years alone.”
Victoria Atkins, Home Office minister, responded that she hoped Mr Amesbury would ‘put his money where his mouth is’ and vote for the Gov- ernment’s police settlement bill, which Whitehall has said will boost police funding in England and Wales by £970m, which includes up to £509m created by allowing police and crime commissioners to raise the policing precept part on council tax bills.
Mr Amesbury went on to vote ‘no’ for the bill, branding it a ‘Tory police tax’. ●