Former World Champion boxer Tony Bellew has said 'he's scared' to let his 18-year-old son out in Liverpool city centre.
Speaking to MirrorOnline, the Toxteth boxer said he's scared to let his 18-year-old son, Corey, go to Liverpool City Centre amid knife crime in the city.
He added that he had spoken to the family of Ava White, who was stabbed to death by a child in Liverpool City Centre following an argument. He added speaking to those families was "unbearable".
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Speaking to the Mirror, he said: “It’s unbearable speaking to the families of victims like Ava, I can’t bear to think about what they have been through.
"I have four young boys and I’m overprotective. I’m scared to let my 18-year-old son Corey go into Liverpool city centre.
“Politicians aren’t doing enough. The police are now so underfunded that they are struggling badly.”
Tony is the head of sport at Weapons Down Gloves Up, an initiative focused on providing opportunities to young people. He added that they're trying to get children into full-time employment and show them there's "more to life than committing crime"
He said: "A lot of them have had rejection, being told they’re not good enough. But after three weeks in a boxing gym, having to dig deep to find themselves, they are happy to go in a classroom and learn.
"Walk a week in their shoes, when you don’t know where the next pound is coming from, then tell me you do the best for them. The government and politicians aren’t doing enough.
"I think the police are now so undercut and underfunded that they are struggling badly, so I don’t necessarily blame them but it’s an absolute disgrace."
Referring to the growing knife crime culture among young adults , Tony said: “A knife is as relevant as a phone for some of these kids, the phone goes in one pocket, the knife goes in the other.”
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. 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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