BirminghamLive has published an immersive journalism project aimed at addressing rising concerns over knife crime - and the age of those involved.
The publisher says the death of 12-year-old Leo Ross was the inspiration for Deep Cuts, a wide-ranging examination of knife violence in the West Midlands.
It follows the titles project on child poverty, and in a similar fashion outlines a host of changes to address the issue in the region.
BirminghamLive's Real Life Editor Stephanie Balloo spent three months covering all angles of knife crime, from sharing inspiring stories of reformed gang members and stepping behind-the-scenes with gang police, to exposing the influence of social media and cruel grooming tactics.
She watched as tracksuit-clad children, who should be out playing, instead sat before a judge at Birmingham youth court for carrying a knife.
The project sheds light on the exploitation signs parents need to recognise, and heard from the mums of knife crime victims who are relentless in their drive for change, added the publisher.
It unearths data to show how kids are less likely to be punished for knife crime than before the pandemic, and seen that first hand as kids walk out of court with a 'slap on the wrist'. More than four in ten of kids in Birmingham live in poverty now, but they've also been stripped of youth services over the years, the publisher continued.
Stephanie also spent time in youth clubs both in, and out, of Birmingham and found the impact in the city was palpable.
She said: "As funding runs dry for after-school clubs in gang hotspots, they're left with nothing to do, nothing to eat and nowhere to turn but the streets. "They're kids who are vaping from the age of 11, going hungry all day and carrying knives out of fear."
BirminghamLive says it found deadly weapons being sold online for as little as £1.90 and pushed through the letter box, no questions asked. These knives were taken offline as soon as they shared their concerns - proof that action can be taken if we all speak out.
After speaking to experts, victims, charities and more, BirminghamLive says it is now pushing for change in the form of five key asks: Prioritise after-school clubs, open conversations with our kids, parental controls on social media, tougher sentencing for knife possession, and real punishment for weapon sellers.
BirminghamLive Editor Graeme Brown said: "It's become increasingly upsetting to see the nature and prevalence of knife crime in the city. It has always been a scourge but we routinely report on incidents involving children who should in in school or playing with their friends.
"We could no longer sit on the sidelines and just report and this wide-ranging project kicks the start of our involvement in trying to push for better for our children."
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