A MOTHER has warned more still needs to be done to tackle knife crime and gang violence nearly two decades on from her sons’ murder.

Chris Cave was stabbed to death in Redcar in June 2003, and since then, his mother, Theresa, has fought tirelessly alongside her other son Tom to deter young people from carrying a knife or a gun or committing violent crime through the Chris Cave Foundation.

The Northern Echo: Theresa Cave

To coincide with the 18th anniversary of Chris’ death, a new office for the foundation, which supports the families of victims of knife crime and helps to educate young people on the dangers of carrying a knife, opened in Redcar this weekend.

But despite the exceptional work of the charity, Ms Cave says more work needs to be done nationally to deal with the problems of knife crime.

“The police do their job but there are far too many getting a slap on the wrist when caught with weapon related items. The courts need to take a far more serious view on this to make potential offenders think twice before picking a weapon up.

“The government need to support and fund our work and listen to what is needed and until they address this fully then nothing will change - things will only get worse and in another 18 years you’ll be asking me the same question.”

Ms Cave also revealed the charity could well have ‘sunk’ during the coronavirus pandemic but she praised her team’s ‘tireless’ efforts raising money to ‘keep us afloat'

“Education is of course the key and catching kids at the right time to change their mindset is imperative. We need to get all schools and colleges to open their doors and knife crime programs like ours.

“We can do so much more and we are being really looked after by the public support - its just really lovely to feel a part of the community.”

In November 2003, Sean Matson was jailed for life for murdering 17-year-old Chris at his best friend’s home.

Steve Turner, Cleveland Police Crime Commissioner, said: "The official opening of the Chris Cave Foundation office was timed to commerate 18 years to the day since the tragic and senseless loss of Redcar Teenager Chris Cave.

"Chris’s mum Theresa is now the driving force behind this fabulous organisation that does so much to help educate young people here in our region and across the country.

"The Point7 programme they run is a must for every school and youth organisation and I look forward to working with the team in the coming weeks, months and years."

The Chris Cave Foundation has spoken to thousands of children and helped hundreds of families who have suffered as a result of knife or gun violence. For more information or to donate, email ccf_p7@outlook.com.