‘We must tackle knife crime – too many people are dying young’
THE friends of two young people who were stabbed to death in Cardiff say they are scared of going out at night in the city.
Amine Benkorichi said 18-year-old Fahad Mohamed Nur was one of his best friends.
Although he has never been involved in knife crime, Amine said youngsters in the city grow up in a culture of fear and that knives are now so prevalent “you don’t know who is carrying one”.
And the 19-year-old’s fears are by no means unique – several other teens, and friends of other victims, also feel scared and believe knife crime is fuelled by drugs, gangs and peer pressure.
Fahad Mohamed Nur, 18, died after being stabbed near Cathays railway station in the early hours of June 2.
Amine, who is returning to St Teilo’s sixth form next week, said “he did not deserve to die that way” – but his death was only the first in the city this summer.
The following month Asim Khan, 21, died after being stabbed on St Mary Street. Then last week, on August 28, the body of 17-year-old Harry Baker from Cardiff was found in Barry Docklands. He also died after being stabbed.
And a series of other stabbing incidents have led to a number of other people being hospitalised.
Amine, who plays football for Taffs Well Academy, said he is nervous travelling back from games late by public transport or walking.
“I look over my shoulder when I walk home. That possibility of someone having a knife is there.
It does not seem so safe anymore and it’s happening way too often,” he added.
“I don’t mix with those kind of people, but I am aware this is happening.
“The kid in Cathays [Fahad Mohamed Nur] was one of my best mates. I grew up with him.
“He should not have died like that. It is heartbreaking. “I think it is pressure from friends. You wouldn’t guess the people who do it. Someone might carry a knife and you’d never know.” Former Cathays High pupil Adam Sharif, 18, who is due to start studying at the University of South Wales next term, said: “Some carry knives to protect themselves if someone else pulls one out.
“Or maybe they are doing it for show – ‘the big I am.’ “People are dying young. I have friends who have passed away recently [from stabbing]. I knew both the people who died in Cathays and St Mary’s Street very well. I feel devastated.
“We need to do more to tackle this. People are dying young. We need to get more people involved and talk about it in schools.”
Both teenagers were taking part in a community football championship held this weekend at Leckwith Stadium to raise awareness about knife crime, drugs and violence.
Ahmed Noor, coach at Cardiff Bay Warriors FC, came up with the idea of the British Championships 2019, inviting teams from London, Birmingham and Leicester to take part.
More than 100 players travelled to Cardiff to compete in the two-day event which also included first-aid
We need to do more to tackle this. People are dying young. We need to get more people involved and talk about it in schools