Violent crime is not ‘inevitable’ says Batley and Spenborough MP Tracy Brabin

Society has reached a crossroads when it comes to the ‘contagious disease’ of violent crime, according to Batley’s MP.
By Sam McKeown
Published 1st Jul 2020, 09:38 BST
Updated 1st Jul 2020, 09:41 BST
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Tracy Brabin has written to constituents following the death of 20-year-old Bradley Gledhill, on Park Croft in Batley last month, saying his murder must be ‘the catalyst for change in our community’.

Mr Gledhill was stabbed after a fight broke out on June 21, while three men and a teenager have been charged with murder and attempted murder in connection the incident, West Yorkshire Police said.

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Ms Brabin has now called for everyone to be proactive in not just tackling the plague of knife crime, but preventing it.

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Violent crime is not inevitable says Batley and Spenborough MP Tracy Brabin after the incident on Park CroftViolent crime is not inevitable says Batley and Spenborough MP Tracy Brabin after the incident on Park Croft
Violent crime is not inevitable says Batley and Spenborough MP Tracy Brabin after the incident on Park Croft

In the letter, the Labour MP wrote: “We have reached a crossroads when it comes to violent crime. Whilst recent government efforts have understandably been consumed by the Covid-19 pandemic, we must not allow the epidemic of knife crime and youth violence to continue to spread as it has.”

She said while there is simple solution to the problem of knife crime, our society does not have to accept it as an ‘inevitable fact of life’.

“We know about the root causes of violence, and how these have been exacerbated by 10 years of Government austerity, including significant cuts to police, school and local authority budgets, however we also know that a better future is possible.”

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Ms Brabin said she will be working with local policing teams, councillors and youth organisations, as well as holding the Government to account.

Tracy Brabin, Batley and Spen MPTracy Brabin, Batley and Spen MP
Tracy Brabin, Batley and Spen MP

A Home Office spokesman said police forces in Yorkshire and the Humber will be recruiting more than 500 additional officers in this year alone, with the Government having also recently provided ‘the biggest increase in funding for the police in over a decade’.

Usman Karolia, 19, and Ahmed Karolia, 23, both of Lime Tree Avenue, Batley, and Raja Nawaz, 18, of Longfield Road, Heckmondwike, will next appear at Leeds Crown Court on December 7 for trial.

The fourth defendant, a 17-year-old, was also charged with murder after appearing at Leeds Crown Court yesterday, and is set for trial with the co-charged defendants on December 7.