When will KNIFE CRIME STOP?

With the world horrified after the recent stabbings in Sydney, we ask...

Recently, we all watched on in shock and horror at Sydney, Australia, as news unfolded that schizophrenic Joel Cauchi, 40, had unleashed terror in a shopping centre. He killed five women and a male security guard with a 12-inch blade. Cauchi stabbed at least 17 people, including a baby and it was reported that women had been his target after he'd battled with the frustration of never having a girlfriend. He was shot dead by police, but devastation in the city was far from over. Just days later, a Christian bishop and a priest were stabbed during a church service and a 16-year-old was arrested following the attack.

Knife crime isn't just a problem overseas though it's a huge issue closer to home too, with offences rising to almost 50,000 a year in the UK. The official government figures show attacks are up 5% compared to the previous year too. Our knife crime epidemic claimed 247 lives last year, and 22,000 victims were injured by somebody armed with a blade. Plus, alarmingly, knife crime against women has more than doubled in five years.

Victims' families are left reeling after these crimes, and the perpetrators' families also suffer. Joel Cauchi's father, Andrew, spoke of his heartache for the families of his son's victims. 'I'm loving a monster.

To you he's a monster but to me he was a very sick boy,' he said. There's no doubt that knife crime affects everyone involved, so what needs to be done to stamp it out for good? Woman investigates.

'I HAVE SPENT YEARS CAMPAIGNING

Ann Oakes-Odger MBE, lives in Colchester, Essex I always joked that my son Westley was the glue that held our family together. An extrovert, he had lots of friends, and was incredibly sociable.

Even after flying the nest he remained close to me and his older brother and younger sister, and was always organising family get-togethers.