The mum of Ava White has said nothing has changed in the fight against knife crime since her daughter was stabbed to death almost two years ago.
Leeann White has insisted new rules which give police extra powers to search previous offenders for blades do not go far enough as they can only be used on over-18s. Ava was killed by a 14-year-old boy and her mum wants children as young as 12 to be searched for weapons, MirrorOnline reports.
When asked if she thought there had been progress in the fight on knife crime, Leeann, 40, said: “I don’t see a difference to be honest. "The only thing I have seen is the new stop and searches coming in but again it needs to target younger people.
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“It’s younger people who are carrying knives, as well as adults, and we need to be searching at least 12-year-olds.”
New Serious Violence Reduction Orders which let police search known knife offenders are being trialled across four police forces including Merseyside, where Ava was killed in November 2021. At the moment officers can stop and search any child or adult they have “reasonable grounds” to believe is carrying a weapon or drugs.
Leeann believes if wider stop and search powers had been in place two years ago “maybe Ava would still be here”. But charities such as StopWatch, have expressed concerns about such searches on children.
Ava’s family also campaigned to install life-saving bleed packs across the city and want No10 to bring them in over the UK.
On Sunday, Leeann watched a celebrity football match at Marine FC in Crosby in aid of anti-blade charities Weapons Down Gloves Up and No More Knives.
They included World Champion boxer Tony Bellew and former Liverpool stars Alan Kennedy and Neil Ruddock.
Ava’s killer, who cannot be named, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 13 years last July.
In Merseyside, January 2023 saw the lowest level of knife crime since April 2020, and the lowest level of overall serious violence since February 2021. Figures from May showed that in the last 12 months knife crime has reduced by 20%.
Earlier this year Inspector Laura Leach said: “Reducing knife crime in Merseyside is a priority for the force all year round. Both serious violence and knife crime are falling in Merseyside, but we know there is still work to do.
“This surrender, alongside increased proactive policing, will help us tackle these issues head on, and work with partners to understand the root causes of knife crime, carrying a weapon and serious violence.”
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “Sadly, we have seen far too many times the devastating consequences that carrying a knife can have on victims and their families, but also the families of those convicted of knife crime offences, and our communities.
“Work to prevent and tackle knife crime goes on all year round, but Operation Sceptre is so important in raising awareness of knife crime and educating the public on the dangers of carrying a knife and Merseyside Police has my full support during this important week of action.
“The police cannot do this work on their own though - we need everyone’s help. There is never a good reason to carry a knife. Statistics show those who do carry knives, even for their own protection, are more likely to end up suffering harm, so if you have a young person in your family, I would urge you to use this week as an opportunity to talk to them about the dangers of picking up a knife and the consequences if they are caught carrying a weapon.
“Also, if you have any information or know of someone who carries a knife within your community, please contact the police or alternatively Crimestoppers anonymously.”
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