National Knife Crime Centre Launched as 'Victory for Families' of Victims
The mother and sister of murdered teenager Ronan Kanda have helped launch Britain's new National Knife Crime Centre, declaring its establishment "a victory for the families of all those who have lost loved ones to knife crime." The centre, unveiled at an event in Bloomsbury, central London, forms a crucial part of the government's ambitious strategy to halve knife crime on the nation's streets within the next ten years.
A Personal Crusade for Change
Pooja Kanda OBE, Ronan's mother and a prominent anti-knife crime campaigner, spoke passionately at the launch. Her son, Ronan, was just 16 years old when he was fatally stabbed with a 20-inch ninja sword in Wolverhampton in June 2022, in a case of mistaken identity. "I know the devastating reality behind the statistics," Pooja stated. "Ronan was an innocent child, taken in an instant and no family should have to live with that pain. The launch of the National Knife Crime Centre is a significant and necessary step forward."
Pooja, who received an OBE earlier this year for her crusade, successfully championed Ronan's Law, legislation that has made it illegal to sell, manufacture, or import ninja swords into the UK. She emphasized that the new centre is not just for her family, but for everyone affected. "Absolutely. It's a victory for you, it's a victory for me, it's not just for us," she said when asked if the launch represented a victory. "Yes, it is because of Ronan's bill, but I think it's everyone's victory today that we have got something for all of us."
Addressing the Epidemic and Online Threats
The National Knife Crime Centre is designed to support police forces across the country in tackling what has been described as an epidemic. A key focus will be combating the threat from online sellers operating in the so-called "grey market" on social media platforms and apps. The centre will work to close legislative gaps and improve enforcement.
Ronan's sister, Nikita Kanda, 25, highlighted the critical issue of weapon accessibility. She revealed that the ninja sword used to kill her brother was purchased from the website DNA Leisure, which has since been linked to 14 other murders. "Decisive action is so important," Nikita said. "The easy availability, the way they have been allowed to be sold freely, and the design of them have no doubt enabled the growing problem and widely contributed to the culture of knife crime."
Government and Policing Commitment
The launch event was attended by Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones and National Police Chiefs’ Council Commander Stephen Clayman, alongside other bereaved families, campaigners, and representatives from social media companies. Commander Clayman, the NPCC lead for knife crime since 2023, stated the centre was established for families like the Kandas and others, including the Joe Dix Foundation, named for an 18-year-old stabbed to death in Norwich in 2022.
"This is very much under the banner of Ronan's law," Clayman explained. "What we're doing is for them. I've been in policing a long time. I've led murder investigations over the years and I've met families who lost children through knife crime. That's the motivation."
The centre, which will receive £1.7 million annually in government funding for the next three years, stems from a significant 2024 review into online knife sales. Its work will include implementing recommendations such as requiring retailers to report suspicious or bulk knife sales to police and potentially introducing a licensing regime for knife sellers.
Legislative Actions and Future Goals
Minister Sarah Jones detailed ongoing legislative efforts, including measures in the forthcoming Policing and Crime Bill. These involve two-stage age verification for purchases, requirements for online retailers to flag bulk sales, and new rules on removing violent content. "There's legislation going through Parliament at the moment which is introducing quite a lot that will change the landscape," Jones said.
She acknowledged the personal impact of knife crime, having met 20-year-old victim Kelva Smith before he was murdered in 2018. "It's very personal to me. Knife crime ruins lives, devastates families and damages communities," she stated.
While noting progress—with 63,000 knives removed from streets since the election and knife crime down 8%—Jones vowed continued vigilance. "We will never stop looking to see what more we need to do," she asserted. "Our ambition to halt knife crime is very significant... I don't underestimate the scale of the problem we still have."
Commander Clayman concluded that the centre signifies a "collective commitment to a safer future" and to ensuring no family endures the pain of losing a loved one to knife violence. The initiative aims to strengthen prevention, intelligence sharing, and accountability, particularly around how weapons are sold both online and in physical stores.
