Mother of 15-year-old stabbing victim says new government knife crime measures 'don't go far enough'

The mother of a 15-year-old boy stabbed to death outside the family home has told ITV News new government measures aimed at reducing knife crime would not have prevented her son's death.

Home secretary Sajid Javid announced new preventive orders on Thursday designed to tackle spiralling knife violence, including limiting suspects over 12 having access to social media.

Those suspected of carrying a knife could also be required to abide by curfews and geographical restrictions and attend knife crime awareness courses.

But Kelly Ellitts said that while these measures were a "step in the right direction" they were not enough to stem the rise of violent knife crime.

"I don't think there's much thought behind it. I think they need to get to know these teenagers and know what they're capable of," she told ITV News.

She said "these boys aren't scared of the law" and that only tougher sentencing and custodial sentences for carrying a knife would act as a deterrent.

Ms Ellitts' son Keelan Wilson was attacked by a gang of youths last May just metres from the family home in Wolverhampton. His mum, step-father and his younger brother and sister have since moved for fear reprisals.

Despite six arrests, nobody has been charged with his murder.

His mum Kelly told ITV News she believed the orders were unenforceable and that social media was a "trivial" part of the problem.

She said: "To say you're going to take someone off social media isn't possible. And if they did find out it was them, they'd just shut their social media account down and open another one with a different email address.

"And to stop them going into certain areas, they're wearing masks, so how do you know it's them? They don't respond well to the police anyway, they don't listen to the police so I just can't see this working."

She said those caught up in knife violence treated it as a "big joke" and that going to prison was seen as "fashionable" and earned them "stripes".

"It's all a big game. It's like they're playing a computer game. They go out and do exactly what they want knowing full well they're going to get away with it because they know how the system works."

She continued: "If you're carrying a knife, you have the intent on using it. Giving a custodial sentence if you're caught with a knife is the only thing that's going to work."

Keelan Wilson was 15 when he was stabbed to death. Credit: ITV News

Announcing the preventative measures on a visit to Brixton police station in south London on Wednesday night, the home secretary said: “I have been clear that I will do everything in my power to tackle the senseless violence that is traumatising communities and claiming too many young lives.

“The police already have a range of measures they are using to keep our streets safe, but there is more we can do to help them in this battle.

“I have listened to their calls and will be introducing these new orders to stop gang members carrying knives in the first place."

But Mr Javid admitted the orders on their own will not be enough.