Princes Charles and Harry host event to tackle knife crime

Prince Charles and his son Harry have joined forces to try and “make a dent” in the “unacceptable” levels of knife crime killing young people in the UK.

The Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex invited former gang members, parents who’ve lost their children and charity representatives to Clarence House to discuss solutions to the problem.

The Palace said that both father and son had come up with the idea to host the meeting with the help of the Prince’s Trust.

They both want to use their convening power to help get the right people talking about how to combat the growing levels of violence.

Charles said at event: “There must be better ways if we’re going to prevent all these appalling disasters and tragedies happening to so many people’s families.

“This is a thing which seems unacceptable, frankly, we should say enough is enough, this time we are really going to make a dent in this for the sake of so many young, so many families.”

Charles and Harry joined discussions about the role of social media, promoting positive role models and developing activities to help young people move away from gangs.

Actor Tom Hardy, rapper Tinie Tempah and England football manager Gareth Southgate were also there to support the event as ambassadors for the Prince’s Trust.

The Trust’s “TEAM” programme gives young people practical and financial support to try and steer them away from a life of crime.

Gideon Buabeng is now a Prince’s Trust young ambassador.

He was stabbed 14 times in 2015 and now shares his story to help others move away from a culture of violence.

Gideon said: “It is so great that we’re here.

“Tom Hardy, Tinie Tempah and them being here and speaking out on it will make a change because of the influence they have on people.

“But us on the lower levels, if you want to call it that, can make a change as well.”

After the deaths of three of his friends, Omar Sharif was also helped by the Trust and now gives talks in schools about his experiences.

At the start of the meeting he thanked the Prince of Wales for setting up the Trust, saying that it had saved his life.

During an impromptu speech, Prince Charles talked about visiting boxing clubs and seeing how successful they can be for giving young people a purpose.

He said: “It seems to me we need to find better ways of helping people in that adolescent transition period to be able to take part in exciting, adventurous, constructive, sometimes risky – if you can get past health and safety – opportunities.

“Because at that age people are more aggressive, they’re more energetic, you need to find a way of helping to channel that – boxing clubs are a brilliant way of doing that.”

The Duke of Sussex said in front of the cameras that he let his father do most of the talking, but in recent months Harry has hosted a number of private meetings introducing young people to policy makers and fundraisers.

Even before he left the army in 2015 he started supporting the Full Effect project in Nottingham that runs projects to reduce youth violence in the St Ann’s area of the city.

Barry and Margaret Mizen, who set up a charity in memory of their murdered son Jimmy, also talked with the princes.

Mrs Mizen said: “Prince Harry spoke about all the youth clubs that are closed and the amount of money that’s been taken away from youth services.

“He absolutely knew what he was talking about.”

She added: “Every time I hear about a young person losing their life it makes me more determined to never give up.”

Her husband Barry said: “The princes undoubtedly have a heart for young people.

“This was genuine today, this wasn’t a publicity stunt or anything, there is a genuine desire to try and lessen the amount of death we are seeing on our streets.”

Tinie Tempah was heard asking Prince Charles about his travels, adding that he heard he had tried jollof rice in Nigeria.

Charles replied: “But I think it blew my head off.”

The heir to the throne said the trip was “marvellous”, adding: “They all think you’re marvellous over there.”

The rapper replied: “They love me.”

(c) Sky News 2018: Princes Charles and Harry host event to tackle knife crime