A SECURITY operative is turning to education to stop knife crime becoming more of a “trend” to young people.

Marc Smith, who has worked in the security industry for 30 years, has turned his focus to knife crime education after fellow guards raised their concern of youths and weapons.

In February, Marc hosted a Q&A for security operatives in Bournemouth and said concerns were raised after recent high-profile knife attacks including 18-year-old victim, Cameron Hamilton in 2023.

“I have come from an industry where I have seen it on the streets,” said Marc.

“We need to be proactive instead of reactive.”

Alongside his security work, Marc works with young people daily through alternative education mentoring and boxing coaching.

He said throughout his career, the demographics of knife crime offenders has changed.

“When I was younger it was happening in deprived areas but in the last seven to eight years it has become fashionable to carry a knife,” said Marc.

“It has become a trend and it is really sad.

“They are not so worries or feared anymore about letting you know that they’re carrying a knife.”

Marc added that most young people carrying knives say it is for self-defence and do not intend to use it.

“I have grown up in Bournemouth and seen first-hand knife attacks, how situations can escalate quickly.

“It quickly becomes three to four on one and then you’re more likely to use any offensive weapon.”

Marc is now offering free mentoring talks at schools and for groups of young people to help them understand the devastating effects of carrying a knife.

“Pubs and bars are the safest places because there are more mechanisms in place.

“The ones carrying it are the ones not getting into premises, ages 13 to 15.”

He said the aim is to work with young people, not to punish them, and policing should be an end result.

He added: “The value of mentoring I cannot emphasise enough and schools are really noticing the difference.

“Eventually I want to build a community project, not just for knife crime, that helps kids build a better life.

“We can all achieve great things if people believe in us.”