A mum whose son was fatally stabbed has warned knives are not trophies or something to be proud of - they are dangerous weapons.
Campaigner and bereaved mother, Tanya Brown, tragically lost her son Connor when he was stabbed in Sunderland.
The 18-year-old was stabbed in an alleyway near the Gatsby's pub on February 24, 2019 when he stepped in to defend others.
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Following the conviction of the two men who attacked her 18-year-old son, Tanya became a prominent figure in the fight against knife crime and raises awareness of the devastation it can cause through her charity, the Connor Brown Trust.
This week, Tanya is standing alongside Northumbria Police in a show of solidarity for Operation Sceptre – a national coordinated approach to reducing knife crime and serious violence.
She said: “I’m a massive supporter of prevention as opposed to punishment because once the damage is done, you can’t undo the consequences or take it back.
“Knives are not trophies or something to be proud of, they are dangerous weapons and I want young people to realise carrying a knife makes you likely to use it – and that has consequences not just for you, but for your family.
“Young people often tell me they need their knives for their protection – but if you are carrying one, you’re the perpetrator.
“Lots of young people just don’t think about their futures but one snap decision now can ruin it all, and that’s a shame because there are so many opportunities out there.”
Tanya works across a variety of schools where she keeps Connor’s memory alive by talking about his life and being open and honest with pupils about his death.
She said: “I get asked a lot about revenge, but I’m not like that.
“My revenge is not forgetting Connor. I will never forgive them for what they did, but the law has dealt with them and they have to live with this just like me.
“I get to see the positive side of Connor and remember what a wonderful young man he was. Some parents won’t get that opportunity.
“There may be those who don’t want to be seen as ‘snitch’ or a ‘grass’ – but when Connor was attacked there were so many witnesses and people who helped and spoke to police because they knew it was the right thing to do.
“The outpouring of grief after Connor’s death was massive and my way of paying back the community for their support is to make a difference to the lives of their children.
“Please report what you see, tell the police what you know and keep our communities safe before harm is caused.”
ChronicleLive has launched its Stop Knives Taking Lives campaign which is calling for an end to the senseless knife violence that has devastated countless North East families in recent years.
Together we are calling on every community in the North East to come together to tackle knife crime. Everyone has a role to play.
Whether it's parents talking to their children about the dangers of carrying knives, or individuals speaking to police when they know of someone carrying a blade or involved in a crime, if there is something we can do to help stop this heartbreaking epidemic we all must.
For more information about the Connor Brown Trust visit: Connor Brown Trust – "Loved beyond words and missed beyond measure"
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