FORMER Eastenders actress Brooke Kinsella has issued an emotional new plea for an end to knife crime.
Brooke, whose brother Ben was stabbed to death 15 years ago, said his loss “continued to devastate her family”.
Speaking as part of a new week of Knife Crime Awareness Week, Brooke, who has helped create the Ben Kinsella Trust in his name, said: “Fifteen years ago, my brother Ben was tragically stolen from us by the senseless act of knife violence.
“His loss continues to devastate our family, fueling our determination to eradicate knife crime and prevent other families from enduring the pain we have experienced.
“I am acutely aware of the impact that knife crime has on our communities. Every day, we hear stories of young lives ended too soon, and families left devastated by the senseless violence that surrounds us. It is not just the physical harm that is inflicted, but the emotional trauma that lingers long after the incident has passed.”
Brooke said she was particularly concerned about the rising number of people escaping custodial sentences for carrying knives.
She continued: “It is really disturbing to see figures detailing how so many habitual knife carriers are not receiving the harshest punishment – prison. We need to send a clear message that carrying a knife is not OK. Yet each year more and more people appear to be escaping custodial sentences. It puts many people in needless danger.”
Setting out her commitment to trying to change attitudes and behaviour she added: “I will never give up campaigning to stop knife crime. This is why I am proud to be part of Knife Crime Awareness Week, which is an important initiative that seeks to educate and engage communities in the fight against knife crime. By coming together and raising awareness, we can create a safer environment for our young people and work towards a future free from the devastating impact of knife violence.”
Her comments come just days after Our revelations come days after 17-year-old Marques Walker was jailed for life for stabbing and killing defenceless Jermaine Cools, 14, while on bail for possession of a zombie knife.
Patrick Green, CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust, warned: “The system is broken. Victims are being let down. Public safety is being compromised.
“We’ve definitely seen an increase in the use of non custodial outcomes and suspended sentences. But Covid has played its part too.
“Courts are not sitting and this created a backlog of cases. Add to this underinvestment in our courts and you have a perfect storm.”
Ben was just 16 years old when he was stabbed to death in a horrific act of senseless violence on 29th June 2008.
Ben had been out at a local pub to celebrate the end of his GCSEs with his friends. On their way home, he and his friends realised they were being followed by three older teenagers. Scared and worried, they decided to run home.
But the older teenagers chased after them. They were seeking revenge for an altercation in the club that had taken place earlier that evening. Ben and his friends had absolutely nothing to do with the altercations, but when the older boys caught up with Ben, in an entirely unprovoked attack, they stabbed him to death.
