Teens call for youth clubs to tackle knife crime

A group of teenagers have said more youth clubs would help tackle knife crime and gangs.

Youth councillors representing young people across Bristol called for more support, knife surrender bins and police presence.

An annual report written by 29 youth councillors across the city said young people want to see better street lighting, more youth clubs and less profiling by police officers, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Darrius Meren, a youth councillor, said: "Knife crime may cause a cycle of fear as more young people feel pressured into carrying knives, further worsening the problem."

He added: "Some students feel there is a lack of police presence in schools to demonstrate what they're doing to tackle knife crime.

"Relationships between young people and police must be restored to build trust. Punishments like exclusions might also make young people vulnerable to knife crime."

He also called for preventative workshops, with support for people who have started carrying a knife or know somebody who has, and training on what to do after a stabbing.

Matilda Crockford added: "Youth services are key to life as a young person in Bristol.

"They're a good place to socialise, learn new skills and participate in a variety of activities.

"However there are issues with these services, including a lack of funding from the government leading to the closure of youth centres and infrequent sessions."

Examples in the annual report included a youth club in Hillfields closing down and lack of youth services in St George, but also praise for youth clubs in Lawrence Weston and Southmead.

Bristol Green Councillor Christine Townsend, chair of the children's committee, said: "I have used your call for better street lighting in two areas of Southville ward.

"Developers have built two quite tall blocks of flats, and there's no lighting in the street at the moment. So people are scared to walk down there, and I don't blame them."

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