On 29th May 2025, I had the privilege of meeting with Andy Dunbobbin, the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, at Police HQ in Colwyn Bay. The meeting marked an important step forward in the campaign to prevent knife crime and bring meaningful, community-focused solutions into action.

During our discussion, I shared how my journey as a Knife Crime Prevention Advocate began. It’s a path that was reawakened by the tragic murder of Jade Ward, a loss that deeply impacted her community and brought back my involvement in legal matters. Not long after, I was approached by the family of Ste Wilkinson, following his murder in Buckley. These tragic events reignited my commitment to tackling knife crime and set the course for where I am today: actively campaigning to save lives and change outcomes for future generations.

One of the key subjects we discussed was the TRACK system, developed last year. TRACK is a simple yet powerful first aid framework designed to help stab victims—particularly when help is needed from someone with little or no first aid training. Commissioner Dunbobbin agreed with me that this potentially life-saving tool should be visible in every pub, club, and school across the region. We spoke about launching a pilot scheme to test its impact and visibility, with the intention to scale up.

I also introduced my book, Breaking the Chain, and made the case for it to be made widely available to young people. We agreed that as a first step, five copies should be sent to every secondary school in Flintshire, forming the basis of a pilot programme that could then be extended to neighbouring counties. Alongside this, we discussed a tailored presentation that would accompany the book, creating an engaging, educational session to spark conversation and reflection within schools.

Encouragingly, everyone present at the meeting recognised that the research and groundwork have already been done—the resources exist, the need is clear. What’s required now is to get this vital information out into communities. Commissioner Dunbobbin assured me that his office will provide the necessary support to bring these ideas to life and that he will advocate for these initiatives with fellow Crime Commissioners across Wales and beyond.

The meeting concluded with a shared enthusiasm to move forward quickly. I made the case that, while North Wales thankfully has a low knife crime rate compared to other areas, North Wales Police could lead the way nationally—becoming the spearhead of a forward-thinking, preventative approach to knife crime. That idea resonated.

With commitment from the Police Commissioner's Office and ongoing community support, we are in a strong position to make real, lasting change.

Edwin Duggan LLB(Hons)

Published 31st May 2025