The body of the latest victim of Britain's spiralling knife crime was found in Crow Nest Park in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.
Police are investigating whether the 16 year old boy was the victim of a racist attack after reports of running battles between two gangs of youths in the area yesterday afternoon. A source close to the victim's family said the bank holiday had been marred by violence between the warring gangs.
The man who lives in Dewsbury and did not wish to be named, said: "Stuff went on in the park between different gangs of youths during the day.
"There was fighting between a white gang and a non white gang. There is a belief that there may be a link between that and the murder of this young man.”
This stabbing follows the murder of 18-year-old Harry Potter actor, Robert Knox, who was stabbed to death in the early hours of Saturday in Sidcup, Kent. A post-mortem revealed that Robert died of internal bleeding as a result of stab wounds. It was also announced that three other people were injured in a fight outside the Metro Bar in Sidcup, Kent.
In a separate incident today, a 19-year-old male is in critical condition after being stabbed in East London.
The latest attacks will intensify calls for ministers to tackle the growing number of young victims of knife culture on Britain's streets.
The Victory Youth Group (VYG) aims to reverse this negative trend and is fighting to help young people come out of this lifestyle. “We have witnessed many cases of young people who were also lost in the world of crime and violence,” commented Luke Castro, Leader of the VYG in the UK. “Many came to the VYG through an invitation from a friend or as a bid to escape the violence that surrounded them; and today, many have found inner strength and joy, and are now trying to reach out to others who may be in a similar situation.”
The VYG is opened to young people aged 14 to 25 and offers practical help as well as free counselling and advice. Its aim is to help young people develop their full potential in a positive way; and many have already seen the benefits in various areas of their life.
