Families open up their hearts as part of knife crime campaign 

Throughout October and November, as a part of their ‘What’s the point?’ knife crime campaign, three families bravely opened up their hearts and lives to share their stories with the world in the hopes of saving other families, like them, the suffering and pain of losing their loved one.

Sachin Hawkins, Jack Howes, and Tom Gaughan may have died at the hands of the most horrific and mindless knife attacks but now, because of their families, they have helped touch and educate people from across their force area about how dangerous knives are and the fatal consequences.
Shira, Rebekah, Ray, Candice, and Tom’s little girl’s stories needed to be told, and their voices needed to be heard to raise awareness of the destruction and sorrow a single knife can have on so many people’s lives.
Sachin was an aspiring special education teacher. Jack was an avid roofer. Tom was an amazing grandson, and beloved Dad. This campaign was for them.
Detective Superintendent Alan Curtis said: “The sheer determination and dignity that each of the families have displayed throughout the campaign, whilst having to relive what I can only imagine to be the most devasting time in their lives, is nothing other than commendable and I’m sure Sachin, Jack and Tom would be immensely proud of them all.

“If you haven’t done so already, I would encourage you to watch the films and hear directly from Shira, Rebekah, Ray, Candice, and Tom’s little girl, as well as the first responders who tried to save their loved ones, the detectives who sought justice for them, and the officers who supported them through the most traumatic time in their lives.
“Sadly, many more families are left navigating their lives without a loved one because of one mindless act, and it is really important for us to educate our communities that by possessing some types of knives, even just at home, you could be committing a criminal offence. It is also crucial to mention the fact that even if you are not the one carrying a knife, but you were there when a knife was wielded, you too could suffer the criminal consequences.
“Whether you find yourself in a confrontational situation at home, or are thinking about carrying a knife for your protection, ask yourself, what is the point? As we have seen first hand from the families, one knife impacts more than one life.”

If you have been affected by knife crime, or are concerned about crime in your area, please report to them via their non-emergency number 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.

Find out more here about the campaign and watch the series of videos.