A series of hard-hitting videos highlighting the devastating impact of knife crime have been created as part of an education package to be delivered to young people in schools.
Filmed by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in partnership with Dorset Police, each video features different people who have all experienced the tragic consequences and impact of knife crime.
Sarah Robinson, the mother of Cameron Hamilton features in one of the four videos, describing the destructive impact of knife crime, and imploring young people to leave knives alone.
Ms Robinson’s son, Cameron, was 18 when he died after being stabbed in Bournemouth town centre in 2023. His killer was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years in a young offender’s institute. Since his death, his family, have been campaigning for changes in the law, and have also established a charity – Changes Are Made – to educate, support, prevent and deter young people from carrying or using knives and serious violence.
Another video includes Matt Baker, a consultant in emergency medicine at University Hospitals Dorset, while a separate film features a man who was once involved in county lines and has experienced knife crime before turning his life around. He is now a youth mentor with the child exploitation charity Escapeline.
Also appearing in one video is a Dorset Police officer, who describes the horrors of knife crime from the perspective of a frontline officer.
The videos will be used as part of the powerful presentations on knife crime given by Dorset Police’s Safer Schools Community Team in secondary schools and other educational settings across Dorset.
This education is a vital part of the work taking place across Dorset to prevent young people becoming involved in knife crime and picking up a weapon. While knife crime in Dorset remains low, one person carrying a knife is one too many.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “Firstly, I want to thank everyone who has been involved in creating these films, particularly the brave family of Cameron Hamilton. Sarah’s courageous testimony is incredibly powerful and stops you in your tracks.
“I want her moving words to be remembered by as many young people as possible.
“It is only through strong collaboration with our partners, and each and every one of us taking responsibility and doing our bit, can we turn back this harmful tide. From education to enforcement, I want to be clear; while young people continue to pick up knives for whatever reason, our work will be relentless.”
Police Constable Martin Garnish, who leads the development and delivery of Dorset Police’s firearms and knife education said: “I am extremely grateful to everyone who has been part of this powerful project – particularly Cameron’s family.
“These words bring home the very real impact of this hideous crime. Education is a vital part of prevention and I hope these videos will bring further awareness to the tragic consequences of knife crime, and spark conversations between school students, parents, carers, and anyone who works with young people.”
Sarah Robinson, Cameron Hamilton’s mother, said: “We will never be the same again after Cam’s death. It has ripped our family apart. All we can do now, is try and ensure this doesn’t happen to another family. I want everyone to do their bit to stop this. It needs all of us to make a difference.”
To find out more about Dorset Police’s education around knife crime, go to SSCT Young People | Dorset Police
You can view a short clip of the videos here The true impact of knife crime (youtube.com)
