Wood Green Crown Court Knife Crime Awareness Evening

Last week marked a powerful moment during Knife Crime Awareness Week 2025.

We were truly honoured to bring over 30 young people, parents, and practitioners to Wood Green Crown Court (22nd May 2025) for a special Knife Crime Awareness Evening. It was an incredible opportunity for everyone involved to gain a behind-the-scenes look at the justice system and engage in meaningful conversations with those working tirelessly to create safer communities.

The evening featured heartfelt contributions from:

• His Honour Judge Dodd KC, His Honour Judge Walker, and His Honour Judge Deacon KC, who graciously welcomed us and hosted the evening with warmth and openness.
• Dr Maryam, who provided invaluable insights into violence reduction and the complex factors behind youth violence.
• Yvonne Lawson MBE, whose powerful story as a mother offered a personal and deeply moving perspective on both loss and hope.
• Sergeant Adam Lawton from Haringey Police’s I.C.E Team, who helped young people better understand the role of policing and community engagement.
• Stephen Akinsanya (15NBS), who shared his inspiring journey into law and an honest portrayal of the realities of knife crime.
• Dez Brown (Spark2Life Project), who captivated everyone with his story of resilience and his commitment to inspiring young people through lived experience.

Alongside these impactful talks, we also delivered specialist training for criminal justice practitioners on how to better engage with at-risk young people, providing strategies for early intervention and creating stronger community connections.

A massive thank you to Stephen Akinsanya for your outstanding leadership in organising this event. Your dedication brought together a powerful group of voices, and your vision made this evening possible.

And a heartfelt thank you to all the judges, speakers, and contributors whose invaluable support helped make this evening so impactful. Events like this not only offer young people real insight into the justice system but also give them understanding, connection, and – most importantly – hope for the future.

Let’s keep the conversation going, and the action growing.

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