PM Lauds Family of Bristol Stabbing Victim for Bleed Kit Drive

A teen named Darrian Williams died in Bristol a year ago after being stabbed in Rawnsley Park on February 14, 2024. Two other teens were convicted of his murder last December.

Darrian’s family started a campaign after his death, aiming to make more ‘bleed kits’ available in Bristol. To mark one year since Darrian’s death, they placed a new kit on Beaumont Street, near where he was stabbed.

The Prime Minister thanked the family for their work, emphasizing the importance of bleed kits. He invited them to collaborate with the government, working together to prevent knife crime.

The government launched a coalition to combat knife crime in the UK, while Labour pledged to halve knife crime if elected. Serena Wiebe, a member of the coalition, noted that young people are afraid of each other.

Serena knew both Darrian and Eddie Kinuthia, who also died from knife crime in July 2023. The Prime Minister expressed hope that more young people will join the coalition, which also involves Idris Elba.

The coalition aims to expand the Young Futures program, which helps young people avoid crime. Keir Starmer advocates for greater youth involvement, believing they know how to connect with their peers.

Young people’s safety in their communities is a central concern. To address this, a task force will discuss strategies for combating knife crime and assisting those in positions of power to make a difference.

The campaign seeks to raise awareness, remove knives from the streets, and address social media safety by limiting harmful content.

Knife crime is interconnected with poverty, education, and other factors. The campaign aims to highlight these links, lobby the government for change, and hold the police and council accountable.

Bristol Live initiated the Together for Change campaign to prevent knife crime, acknowledging that young people need help but often don’t know where to seek it. In response, the government is developing safe spaces.

These safe spaces will offer support, community, and advice regarding careers and mental health. Such “Young Futures hubs” support young people, and charities also provide safe places outside of school and home.