London is a city which has long been gripped by the devastating effects of knife crime.
One man who knows this better than most is Ryan Biddiss, 26, who grew up in a world of constant stabbings, shootings and violence.
Today, Ryan has channelled his experience into helping other young people avoid going down the wrong path to similar fates.
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Ryan, from Woolwich in southeast London, explained that his campaign and volunteer work stemmed from a tough time in his family life.
“My dad passed away of cancer last year – I was in a really bad depressive state,” Ryan told MyLondon.
“I was in a bad way, I just wanted something to focus on. The time that it started was when lockdown just finished and there was a lot of young people out, a lot of stabbings were happening.”
Ryan admitted he has been shocked by some of the weapons he has seen
(Image: Ryan Biddiss)
Ryan understood the unique issues in his local area after growing up around violence on the streets.
“I’ve never been stabbed or carried a knife, but I’ve had a lot of friends that have been stabbed and have almost died.
“I’ve known people that have been shot, I know someone that died from being shot in the stomach.
“It used to be bad when I was younger, but I’m looking now and thinking: ‘These young people really don’t give a f**k.’”
The volunteer work has helped Ryan overcome the sadness of his dad’s death
(Image: Ryan Biddiss)
Ryan channelled this life experience and his skills back into his local community, and now volunteers and raises funds to help combat knife crime in London.
The 26-year-old runs his own independent knife amnesty, where he collects and safely disposes of lethal weapons, including swords, guns and knives, before they get into the wrong hands.
The 26-year-old has made an effort to make his local streets safer
(Image: Ryan Biddiss)
Since Ryan started his volunteer work in August 2021, he has already taken around 70 dangerous weapons off the streets of London.
“I’m not looking to make anyone feel uncomfortable or put them in any kind of danger.
“For them to hand that knife over they’ve got to be 100 per cent confident that’s the right choice they want to make and they want to stick by that.”
Ryan believes more could be done by local councils and the government at large to help tackle this issue.
“We’ve got to work together as a community and make things happen. If enough people are coming together, then the government has to listen,” he said.
Ryan dedicates his life to collect and dispose of knives safely and responsibly
(Image: Ryan Biddiss)
Aside from disposing of weapons, Ryan also provides more holistic support to young people in his area.
This includes organising gym sessions, boxing and martial arts classes to help lead young people away from lives of crime.
At the moment, Ryan is also hoping to raise £500 to provide his local area with a public access Bleed Control Kit .
These are specialist devices designed to help control and stop severe bleeding and give victims of knife crime a chance at survival before the emergency services arrive.
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Ryan said his volunteer work has helped improve his own well being too: “This has pulled me through my depression – I’m back to my normal self pretty much. I feel focused and motivated to make a change.
“If you or anyone you know finds a knife or knows where a knife is hidden or you yourself carry a knife, worried your child is carrying a knife or getting involved with gangs or knife crime, please DM me!”
To contact Ryan or to find out more about his work, go to his Instagram @pocpatrol . To contribute towards the Bleed Control Kit fundraiser click here .
If you’ve been affected by a similar story, feel free to email [email protected] to have your voice heard.
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