Sunderland teens call for metal detectors in schools as survey finds knife crime fears is second biggest worry among 11 to 18-year-olds

The annual State of the City debate, organised by Sunderland Youth Council (SYC), saw more than 100 children and young people from the city’s schools and Sunderland College gather at the Civic Centre to discuss issues including the environment, knife crime, mental health, tackling hate crime and votes at age 16.

Knife crime was the second biggest issue for young people in the city according to the Make Your Mark ballot, which this year saw a record 10,402 votes cast by Sunderland youngsters on issues that mattered to them.

Isabella Johnston, who chaired the issue in the debate on behalf of the Sunderland Youth Council, said: “Knife crime is often dismissed as an issue that affects people in cities in other parts of the country but it is a problem here in the North East.”

The youngsters suggested having knife searches and metal detectors in schools to ensure students are not carrying weapons.

Others suggested teaching methods of self defence such as martial arts in PE lessons to address the concern that those carrying knives are using them for self-defence.

Students also suggested early intervention to tackle the problem with one youngster saying; ‘the earlier we stop knife crime the better.’

The debate came after the tragic death of 18-year-old Connor Brown from Sunderland, who died after being stabbed on a night out in the city in February 2019.

Last week his killers were jailed over the attack in which the teenager was stabbed five times in an alleyway behind a pub.

Leighton Barrass, 20, of Hartside Square, Sunderland, was found guilty of murder by a jury and jailed for life with a minimum sentence of 20 years. Ally Gordon of Polmuir Road, Sunderland, was cleared of murder but was found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for three years and six months.

In response to the concerns of young people Northumbria Police has said it takes a “very strong stance” on knife crime and violence.

Chief Superintendent Ged Noble, Northumbria Police’s lead for knife crime, said: “We take a very proactive approach to knife crime in order to target offenders and bring them before the courts.

“We work very closely with our partner agencies across Northumbria to continue to tackle this issue, which includes officers giving talks to children and young adults in our schools and colleges about the dangers of knife crime.

“We also work with door staff and licensees in our city centres to identify individuals believed to be carrying knives and make sure that weapon is taken off the streets.

“It is important to say that our area continues to experience low levels of knife crime compared to other big cities across the country and these figures reflect that. However this does not mean that we are in any way complacent.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Ms McGuinness has pledged almost £1m to tackle the causes of violent crime and several Wearside organisations have been successful in applying for grants.

Ms McGuinness added: “I would be happy to meet with Sunderland Youth Council and go over their concerns about crime in the city. Their voice needs to be heard if we are to tackle crime here.”