Students fight violence

10:09am Friday 20th June 2008

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A DOCUMENTARY about knife crime is being produced by a team of students following the fatal stabbing of Rob Knox.

Seven students aged between 16 and 24 from north Kent and south-east London are producing the 15-minute DVD as part of a Prince's Trust course based in north Kent.

They are horrified by the number of teenagers stabbed to death recently and their DVD looks at ways of tackling knife crime.

It will be finished by next Friday and sent to schools, colleges and youth centres across north Kent and south-east London.

The idea for the DVD came from a student who knew Rob Knox - the 18-year-old stabbed to death in Sidcup on May 24.

He 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."

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."

In the DVD, young people, teachers and police officers give their opinions on the causes of knife crime and the ways to stop it.

PC Paul Raines, who works in Gravesend, was interviewed this week.

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 for the DVD by packing bags in the Marks & Spencer store in Bluewater shopping centre on Wednesday.

Along with funding from the Prince's Trust, the money will be used to produce and distribute copies of the DVD.

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.

• Karl Bishop, aged 21, of Beaver Lodge, Carlton Road, Sidcup, will appear at the Old Bailey in September charged with the murder of Mr Knox and wounding five other people with intent.