10:23am Saturday 19th July 2008
By Michael Purton
STUDENTS have produced a documentary about knife crime in response to the fatal stabbings of young people in London.
Seven students aged between 16 and 24 from north Kent and south east London produced the 15-minute DVD as part of a Prince's Trust course based in Northfleet.
Since the beginning of the year 20 teenagers have been stabbed to death in the capital, including 18-year-old Rob Knox, who was killed in Sidcup on May 24.
Student Claire Cooter, 21, from Swanley, said: "Knife crime is such a big issue at the moment because it seems every week another young person is stabbed to death.
"So we decided to make this DVD to show young people the consequences of knife crime, which is prison for the person committing the crime and tragedy for the victim and their family."
The DVD features statistics on knife crime, graphic images of victims and the views of young people, teachers and police on ways to stop it.
It will be sent to schools, colleges and youth centres across north Kent and south east London.
The students were inspired to make the DVD because some of them knew Rob Knox.
Miss Cooter said: "We were all horrified when Rob Knox was killed, and it happened because during a fight someone stabbed him instead of punching him.
"If that person had not been carrying a knife, Rob would not have been killed. So we need to stop people carrying a knife."
PC Paul Raines, who works in Gravesend, was interviewed for the DVD and urged young people who witness knife crime to come forward to the police.
He said: "The most important thing people can do is tell the police if they suspect someone of being involved in knife crime."
The students raised money to make the DVD by packing bags in the Marks & Spencer store in Bluewater shopping centre.
It will be premiered in Gravesend on August 15.
Charity the Prince's Trust helps young people overcome problems to get qualifications.
Call Richard Martin on 07738 802423 for details.
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