Naomi: My grief as uncle was knifed to death

NAOMI Campbell has spoken for the first time about how her uncle was killed by a knife attacker when she was a child.

She revealed her heartbreak while talking to pupils at a school in London close to where she grew up. Femail was given exclusive access to the Speakers For Schools event.

Miss Campbell, 49, said: ‘Knife crime leaves my heart so heavy because one of my uncles died that way when I was a child.’ The fashion icon has previously backed campaigns to end knife crime, but never spoken about her own loss.

She told pupils at Elmgreen School in Tulse Hill, South London: ‘It’s such a violent act and comes from such a disturbing place. I say to myself, “Thank God that guns are not being used”. But I realise knives have taken the place of guns because knives are so much more readily available.’ She added: ‘I don’t consider myself an authority on knife crime. But I do know I don’t like violence. Why would you want to pick up a knife and go to prison?

‘Why would you want to end up there? Prison isn’t good for anyone. I don’t think it works anywhere in the world.’

The number of crooks caught with knives or other deadly weapons last year reached the highest level for nearly a decade, according to Ministry of Justice figures. A total of 21,484 offences came before the courts and nearly two-thirds were knife crimes. Miss Campbell also spoke of the racial discrimination she has faced in her modelling career. She said: ‘I was fed up of being the token black girl on a fashion shoot or show – tired of it.

‘I’ve always remained optimistic that we just have to keep on talking about diversity until other people get it. The ignorant will always be ignorant.’

Speakers For Schools, which also features chef Heston Blumenthal and TV scientist Brian Cox was set up by ITV political editor Robert Peston. It aims to bring inspirational speakers into state schools.