Young Futures Hubs launched in bid to tackle knife crime
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed ‘Young Futures Hubs’ will be rolled out this year, in the government’s latest push to half knife crime that continues to rip families apart.
At a summit at St James’ Palace in London today (July 15), the PM confirmed eight hubs will be opened this year in areas with high levels of knife crime.
Their locations have not yet been announced.
Fifty are set to be opened in the next four years.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “This senseless crime – often fuelled by drugs and criminal gangs – has destroyed hundreds of families across the country and in the North East. We must put an end to this epidemic.
“We are bringing in the toughest knife controls we have ever seen with bans on ninja swords and zombie-style knives and new sanctions for tech executives who fail to stop weapons being sold illegally.
“Enforcement is just one part of our Plan for Change and pledge to make our streets safe. We must also open up opportunity for all, and stop vulnerable young people from taking the wrong path.
“Today, I attended a Youth Opportunity Summit at St James’s Palace with His Majesty the King, anti-knife campaign Idris Elba and youth leaders, as well as families who have been impacted by violence.
“Here, I set out our plans to open up Young Future Hubs across the country to bring together vital local services such as mental health support and career advice and making sure they have the support they need.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper added: “Knife crime devastates families and communities across the country, and too many young lives have already been lost.
“That’s why we’ve set out an unprecedented mission to halve knife crime in a decade and why we are working tirelessly with our coalition to tackle the scourge of serious violence on our streets.”
For two years The Northern Echo has been running its Knife Crime Taskforce – bringing together leaders and bereaved families in a bid to prevent future fatalities.
It comes after the deaths of a number of teenagers due to blades in recent years.
Connor Brown died in 2019 after a fatal stabbing trying to protect others from Leighton Barrass, who pulled a knife during an argument over two £5 notes.
Jack Woodley was fatally stabbed during a savage gang attack as he left a fun fair in Houghton-le-Spring, in October 2021, and his ten killers were jailed for life for murder.
Since then, the taskforce has met regularly to give groups and organisations the chance to meet face-to-face enabling them to share ideas and information to tackle the problem.
Members include victims’ families, sports clubs, schools, police, crime commissioners, magistrates and youth justice workers.
It was praised as “really powerful” by then-Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in 2024, who homed the model could be used in across the country as a whole.