Robert Brown backs anti-knife campaign

12.00.00am GMT Fri 26th Jan 2007

Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown has today called on all local schools to back the Damilola Taylor Trust campaign, "Respect your Life, Not a Knife" by building their own Pledge Wall.

Respect your Life, Not a Knife was launched by footballer Rio Ferdinand and during the campaign almost 4,000 schools across the UK are being encouraged to take part in the scheme by building their own pledge walls.

Youngsters are being urged to make an anti-knife pledge on posters saying "In memory of Damilola Taylor, I pledge never to carry a weapon".

The Damilola Taylor Trust was founded in 2001 after Damilola bled to death from a leg wound from a knife attack in Peckham, south London.

It is hoped displays, made up of poems, thoughts and comments from children will encourage communication and enforce the dangers of carrying knives in the community.

Research from the Damilola Taylor Trust shows that there is a common misconception from young people that knife wounds are not fatal unless to a vital organ or throat. Research also shows that young people take unnecessary risks if they carry a knife as they feel safer.

Robert Brown said:

"I got a letter about this campaign from Damilola's father, Richard. Like many people, I was touched at the time by the enormous dignity he showed in the face of such a devastating loss. I was also very moved by his letter which was very powerful. Knife carrying has become a worrying trend and knife crime in particular is on the rise in Scotland.

"What is important about this campaign is that it is about changing attitudes, particularly amongst young people. It is not in fact "cool" to carry a knife; the idea that you should carry a knife to defend yourself is a common excuse but a dangerous one.

Richard Taylor's letter said:

"My son, Damilola Taylor, died needlessly and painfully on a Peckham stairwell. He believed that his destiny was to change the world - and I believe he would have done great things with his life were he allowed to continue it past the age of 10."

"There are few things more tragic than the life of a child or young person being cut short like Damilola's was. I hope that local schools will sign up to this campaign to help make sure that a tragedy like the death of Damilola doesn't happen again. The good thing about this campaign is that it involves the children themselves. "

Ends

Related Links:

Letter from Richard Taylor.

The Damilola Taylor Trust.

For more information.