'If there hadn't have been a knife then Cam would be alive today'

THE FAMILY of a fatal stab victim is working with the police, council and local organisations to launch a knife crime awareness campaign.

The Changes Are Made (CAM) campaign is supported by Cameron Hamilton's grandmother Tracey Jose and aims to raise awareness and educate young people about the serious consequences of carrying knives.

At 18 years old, Cameron Hamilton lost his life in Bournemouth Square following an altercation involving a knife.

His family have used their tragedy as a 'catalyst for positive change' against knife crime in BCP.

The campaigners involved in the #Lives Before Knives #Changes Are Made initiative gathered in front of a graffiti art installation in Bournemouth Gardens, created at the campaign's launch on May 4, 2024.

BCP Council is working with Dorset Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner, University Hospitals Dorset, and many others under the BCP Community Safety Partnership, Safer BCP. All sharing the same commitment to reducing serious violent crime in the area.

Dorset Police chief superintendent Heather Dixey said: "Dorset Police supports this initiative whole-heartedly.

"Some people think they might be safer carrying a knife, whereas, in reality, it only puts them in danger. It only takes one silly decision to ruin a family's life, and together with our partners, we want to prevent this heartache from happening and stop knives being used on the streets in Dorset."

The artwork displayed in Bournemouth's Lower Gardens was created by a local graffiti artist alongside a group of people who helped depict a large painting of Yoda holding roses in the place of a light sabre with an eagle flying away.

Cameron Hamilton's family described the symbolism of the painting, saying that Cameron loved birds of prey, hence the eagle, and green was his favourite colour.

Yoda is used as a symbol of peace, and his light sabre has been replaced with flowers, which reflected the flowers laid for Cam in Bournemouth Square.

Speaking about the campaign, Tracey Jose said: "We just want to spread awareness of the dangers of knife crime and get people talking about it.

"Having pictures of Cameron makes it more real and shows they are just normal people.

"Quite simply, if there hadn't been a knife, then Cam would be alive today. The message needs to be, please don't carry knives."

The campaign will see a variety of events and activities spread across the coming weeks, including theatre workshops, skateboarding events, school activities, live music, and much more to engage young people.

These initiatives will be complemented with resources and support networks to equip parents and carers, as well as members of the community, with the tools to address and prevent knife-related incidents effectively.

Pippa Emmerson is part of targeted support for young people and has been involved with direct youth work in BCP.

She said: "We have been working closely with young people to understand why some young people don't feel safe and are carrying weapons.

"We do a lot of work with schools, but most importantly, we have an outreach programme between 7pm and 11pm; we want to make sure that young people have the information, advice and guidance they need to remain safe when they're out."