In August 2018, father-of-two Garvin Snell posted a self defence video that went viral. His message was clear. If someone pulls a knife on you, there’s no shame in running. Since then, his work as a knife crime activist has reached millions. City News went to interview Garvin about the impact of his success.
Having grown up in Feltham, West London, Garvin is well aware of the pressures on young people to join gangs and carry knives.
Despite it’s relatively poor reputation, Garvin enjoyed living in Feltham.
He loved the area and enjoyed his school life in particular.
Now a father, Garvin understands the worry many parents go through when their kids step outside the front door.
“A boy I knew got stabbed and killed over £20. That’s when I first started doing bits of work around knife crime.”
Weapons bin encouraging young people to dispose of knives. Credit: City News.
“I was having a conversation with my son. There was something in the news about someone being stabbed. I asked him what would you do if someone pulled a knife on you?
“He said that he would tackle and fight them. I said don’t do that. Just run. So then, that was the light bulb moment. I said let’s go and do a video.”
How can young people be protected from violent crime?
Garvin’s work in West London also looks at helping young people find a sense of purpose.
He worries without that purpose, knife crime will only increase.
SELF DEFENCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: How to defend yourself against a knife attack!!! pic.twitter.com/RImXdYBMaW
“I want young people to have a better outlook on themselves and on life. Poverty and crime go hand in hand. So, if young people are not seeing a better future for themselves, then that life of crime where you see the drug dealer driving a nice car and wearing nice shoes, that life can look appealing.
“I want to show them the other side of this life. If you’re going out there and putting in the work, finding the motivation and you know your destination…you’ll get there.”
From the age of 10, Garvin used go to his local youth centre.
It cost him 50p to get in and it kept him off the streets. He remains grateful for its impact.
Garvin hopes to set up a new range of youth centre across London, helping to keep young people off the streets. Credit: City News.
He wants young people now to have the same chance he got.
“Now youth services have almost disappeared, and you are seeing young people with nothing to do. The devil makes work for idle hands.”
That’s why Garvin wants to set up youth centres across London.
Therefore his hope is young people can go in there, use the computers, write a CV and take part in workshops. He wants spaces where all agencies can come together, youth series, social services, youth offending reams, the police, the schools.
This centralised hub would be a place to come together and work together to help identify young people who are at risk of joining gangs.
Knife crime activist Garvin Snell believes more needs to be done to protect young people from violence. Credit: City News.
What would you say to your younger self?
We asked Garvin what he’d tell his younger self if he knew all that he knows now.
“I used to be in situations when you’re at a party and you are with all your boys. An argument starts and you see a blade. You don’t want to look like the weak one. So, I’d just stand there and try to act tough.
“I’d tell myself, look just avoid the situation and get out of there.”
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Headline‘There’s no shame in running’ – Garvin Snell on tackling Knife Crime
Short HeadlineGarvin Snell on tackling knife crime
StandfirstThis father of two hit the headlines for his viral video with his children illustrating how to deal with someone with a knife.
In August 2018, father-of-two Garvin Snell posted a self defence video that went viral. His message was clear. If someone pulls a knife on you, there’s no shame in running. Since then, his work as a knife crime activist has reached millions. City News went to interview Garvin about the impact of his success.
Having grown up in Feltham, West London, Garvin is well aware of the pressures on young people to join gangs and carry knives.
Despite it’s relatively poor reputation, Garvin enjoyed living in Feltham.
He loved the area and enjoyed his school life in particular.
Now a father, Garvin understands the worry many parents go through when their kids step outside the front door.
“A boy I knew got stabbed and killed over £20. That’s when I first started doing bits of work around knife crime.”
Weapons bin encouraging young people to dispose of knives. Credit: City News.
“I was having a conversation with my son. There was something in the news about someone being stabbed. I asked him what would you do if someone pulled a knife on you?
“He said that he would tackle and fight them. I said don’t do that. Just run. So then, that was the light bulb moment. I said let’s go and do a video.”
How can young people be protected from violent crime?
Garvin’s work in West London also looks at helping young people find a sense of purpose.
He worries without that purpose, knife crime will only increase.
SELF DEFENCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: How to defend yourself against a knife attack!!! pic.twitter.com/RImXdYBMaW
“I want young people to have a better outlook on themselves and on life. Poverty and crime go hand in hand. So, if young people are not seeing a better future for themselves, then that life of crime where you see the drug dealer driving a nice car and wearing nice shoes, that life can look appealing.
“I want to show them the other side of this life. If you’re going out there and putting in the work, finding the motivation and you know your destination…you’ll get there.”
From the age of 10, Garvin used go to his local youth centre.
It cost him 50p to get in and it kept him off the streets. He remains grateful for its impact.
Garvin hopes to set up a new range of youth centre across London, helping to keep young people off the streets. Credit: City News.
He wants young people now to have the same chance he got.
“Now youth services have almost disappeared, and you are seeing young people with nothing to do. The devil makes work for idle hands.”
That’s why Garvin wants to set up youth centres across London.
Therefore his hope is young people can go in there, use the computers, write a CV and take part in workshops. He wants spaces where all agencies can come together, youth series, social services, youth offending reams, the police, the schools.
This centralised hub would be a place to come together and work together to help identify young people who are at risk of joining gangs.
Knife crime activist Garvin Snell believes more needs to be done to protect young people from violence. Credit: City News.
What would you say to your younger self?
We asked Garvin what he’d tell his younger self if he knew all that he knows now.
“I used to be in situations when you’re at a party and you are with all your boys. An argument starts and you see a blade. You don’t want to look like the weak one. So, I’d just stand there and try to act tough.
“I’d tell myself, look just avoid the situation and get out of there.”
