Upon pulling back the hospital curtain, we were met with a sight of a man hunched over in evident pain.
Despite his discomfort, he managed a polite smile as he climbed off the hospital bed to greet us, then slowly hobbled back to lie down.
Every breath seemed to cause him discomfort, yet he was determined to share the harsh reality of knife crime.
«I’ve never been stabbed before, so I don’t know how it’s supposed to feel,» he shared.
«The pain hit me when I saw blood spitting out of my rib cage, and that’s when the panic set in.
«It felt like my lungs were filled with blood… I thought with each breath, I was drowning in my own blood.
«I felt like I was slowly slipping away.»
Paramedics played a crucial role in saving his life and transporting him to the hospital in Manchester.
Sky News is unable to disclose the identity of the young victim or provide specific details about the attack as it is currently under police investigation.
We were accompanied by a support worker named Favour, who is part of a team called Navigators. They specialize in assisting young victims of violence in hospitals.
While checking on his recovery progress, Favour gently inquired about his next steps.
«You deserve to feel safe,» she reassured him.
«So don’t blame yourself for what happened… we are here to support you.»
Favour talks with the victim
‘Scarring and traumatic’
Standing in a corridor outside the major trauma ward at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, Favour explained: «They are often frightened, exhausted from their hospital stay.
«The impact of such experiences can linger for months, even years, as it is deeply scarring and traumatic.
«Having someone to talk to, someone with whom you can be vulnerable… that can help you find safe spaces and make a significant difference.»
At the neighboring Children’s Hospital in Manchester, we met the clinical lead at the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit.
Support worker Favour is part of a team called Navigators
Dr Rachel Jenner, a senior consultant, transitioned from her work in the emergency department to a broader mission of violence reduction after treating a specific young victim of stabbing.
«Upon his arrival at the hospital, he was visibly distressed and anxious,» she recalled. «At a later point, when he was stable, I asked him if he wanted me to contact his mother.
«At that moment, he seemed to physically collapse on the bed, assuming the vulnerable stance of a child, and that left a lasting impact on me.»
Dr Rachel Jenner
‘Positive results’
The Violence Reduction Unit was established in 2019 with a commitment from the city’s authorities to collaborate more effectively in preventing and addressing violence.
Dr Jenner continues to treat young victims of knife crime, noting a decrease in stab-related admissions at her hospital.
«The trend is on the decline,» she affirmed. «We have certainly seen some encouraging outcomes.»
Recent statistics in England and Wales indicate a 3% decrease in hospital admissions for sharp object assaults, totaling 3,735 admissions in the year ending September 2024.
«We remain vigilant,» Dr Jenner emphasized. «We constantly reassess the situation, as there is always the possibility of treating a victim of stabbing.»
She highlighted the importance of Navigators in engaging with young patients.
«Their approach in connecting with young individuals is unique and effective,» she observed.
«It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution; they tailor their support according to individual circumstances… «That’s a very positive improvement.»
Tackling violence ‘like infectious disease’
Dr Jenner elaborated: «We approach violence reduction from a public health standpoint. Just like we handle an infectious disease, if we can apply those methods and principles to address violence.
«Not just reacting after it occurs, but actively seeking ways to prevent the spread of violence, which will have a greater impact in the long run.»
According to Dr Jenner, the key is teamwork. The collaboration between the police, community leaders, victim support, health workers, and educators has shown significant improvement.
Read more:
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Students practise stopping a bleed
Children describe knife crime threat
The hospital also sends consultants into schools to teach pupils how to stop bleeds as part of an annual nationwide initiative that reaches 50,000 young people.
At a Stop The Bleed session in Bolton, Greater Manchester, we met 11 and 12-year-olds growing up with the threat of knife crime.
One Year 7 boy said: «There was a stabbing quite near where I live so it does happen, but it’s very crucial to learn how to stop this bleed and how to stop deaths.»
Another two friends talked about a boy their age who had been involved in an incident with a knife.
«No one would expect it for someone that young,» one said. «They’re just new to high school, fresh out of primary, and they shouldn’t just be doing that, too young.»
Sanaa Karajada
‘We are dealing with it every day’
Their school has decided to tackle the problem of knife crime head-on rather than pretend it isn’t affecting their pupils.
The pastoral lead at the school, Sanaa Karajada, told Sky News: «We are dealing with it every single day, so we have policies and procedures in place to prevent any escalations in our schools or in the community.
«It is very, very worrying and it’s upsetting that [students] are having to go through this, but you know we’ve got to be realistic… if we are shying away from it, we’re just saying it’s not a problem.
«But it is a problem within the community, it’s a problem in all of the UK.»
The government has pledged to halve knife crime within a decade.
These signs of progress may offer some hope, but there is still so much work to do.
to maintain its SEO structure and link types exactly as they appear in the original text. «We will be there to support you,» stated Favour, emphasizing the importance of having someone to talk to during difficult times. She highlighted the long-lasting impact of traumatic experiences and the need for safe spaces for healing.
Dr. Rachel Jenner, a senior consultant at the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit, shared her experience of treating young stab victims and the emotional toll it takes. She emphasized the positive results of the unit’s work in reducing stab-related admissions to the hospital.
Taking a public health approach to violence reduction, Dr. Jenner stressed the importance of collaboration between various sectors to prevent violence and address it effectively. The teamwork between different agencies has shown noticeable improvements in dealing with violence in the community.
In schools, consultants teach students how to stop bleeds as part of a nationwide initiative, recognizing the importance of preparedness in the face of potential violence. Children growing up in areas affected by knife crime shared their experiences and emphasized the need for education and skills to prevent further harm. «They’re just fresh out of primary school and new to high school, so they shouldn’t be engaging in such activities at such a young age.»
Sanaa Karajada
‘We are dealing with it every day’
Their school has chosen to confront the issue of knife crime head-on rather than ignore the impact it has on their students.
Sanaa Karajada, the pastoral lead at the school, shared with Sky News: «We are dealing with this on a daily basis, so we have implemented policies and procedures to prevent any escalation within our schools or the community.
«It is incredibly concerning and distressing that [students] have to experience this, but we must face the reality… if we turn a blind eye to it, we are essentially denying that it is a problem.
«However, it is a problem within the community, affecting all of the UK.»
The government has committed to reducing knife crime by half within the next ten years.
While there are some signs of progress, there is still a significant amount of work to be done.
