Idris Elba's issues knife crime plea: 'Together we must end this horror now'

08 January 2024 , 06:00

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Idris Elba has called for knife crime with young people to be brought to the top of the political agenda

This is the first Monday back after the new year. Which means today, both school and Parliament are in session again. But the truth is, only one of these institutions will be forced to deal with just how many desks remain empty.

In 2023, serious youth violence rose all across the country. Hundreds more promising lives cut short over an argument or a fleeting emotion. Hundreds more classrooms dimmed by grief.

Every day, the feeling of helplessness in us parents grows bigger and bigger. If you have kids of a certain age, that feeling is relentless. Every walk to school. Every hug goodbye. You can’t help but wonder if that’s it, that’s the last one.

Now, it’s time for the urgency felt in our communities to be actioned by our politicians.

That is why the Don’t Stop Your Future campaign, which we are launching today, aims to raise the horrifying reality of serious youth violence to the top of the political agenda, where it belongs.

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When political leaders come to work this morning, they will pass by a series of neatly folded outfits in Parliament Square representing the victims of 2023. They come from all walks of life, but share one terrible thing in common. They got dressed that day not knowing it would be their last.

Beside me at Parliament Square will be Yemi Hughes, a mother and teacher whose world fell apart when her son, Andre Aderemi, fell victim to knife crime at just 19. She’ll be holding the clothes Andre wore that terrible day, the day he never came back. Together, we’ll call upon Parliament to take meaningful steps to ensure no parent needs to feel her grief again.

Idris Elba addresses the community at a Croydon Boxing Ring (ALEXJPIPER.COM)

Our hope is that our political leaders will embrace the new year as an opportunity for true, transformative ­action. It’s easy to feel like there’s nothing that can be done, that the growing rate of violence is unstoppable. But the fact is if Parliament gives this issue the focus it deserves, and engages with every facet of our society, it can happen.

In August, Parliament promised to ban zombie knives and machetes – but four months later, the legislation needed has only just started its slow journey through Parliament.

We’re asking for the ban to be implemented immediately to crack down on the supply of these dangerous weapons, to take them off our streets and to put a stop to those who profit from it.

We’re also calling for a new Coalition to End Knife Crime, a group that would operate across party lines to bring together those who have a role to play in tackling this issue – from the relevant government departments to grassroots organisations, sporting bodies and to young people themselves. And for this coalition to be truly transformative, it needs to invite tech companies to the table for the first time.

As zombie knives and machetes are being advertised and sold on social media, they too need to step up and do more, including stopping content intended to stoke violence in the real world from being shared online.

Idris Elba meets with community leader Archbishop Dr Costakis Evangelou MB (ALEXJPIPER.COM)

Mother Yemi Hughes' son, Andre Aderemi, fell victim to knife crime at just 19

This terrible trajectory can only be reversed if we all work together. It’s proven that cuts to youth services manifest in a rise in youth violence. It’s time now to restore these services.

Our kids need hope, opportunities, and support to help them turn away from the circumstances and situations that lead them to weapons.

It may sound like we’re asking for a lot, but we know things can move at speed if there’s political will to do so. Our Parliament found a way to ban American XL Bully dogs quickly because they were seen as an immediate threat.

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We need to apply this thinking to protecting our kids.

This campaign is not just a call for change, it’s also a salute to many incredible organisations and unsung heroes working to tackle the root causes of crime. Through the campaign and the ongoing work of the Don’t Stop Your Future organisation, I’ll be working alongside anti-knife-crime charities to support their work, amplifying the voices of marginalised communities.

To the political leaders reading this – this can be the moment we turn the tide. The year the numbers reversed course. It’s not too late to end this nightmare for our kids – and make fuel for their dreams instead.

The community is waiting to act with you. We all are.

Idris Elba