I'm pleased to see the government's plans to tackle knife crime, with Keir Starmer boldly aiming to halve it.

The proposed Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime, bringing organisations together to examine factors behind knife crime and influence future policies, seems like a great leap forward.

But let's be honest - are we really addressing the root of the problem?

Talk of tougher sentences for carrying knives, banning knife purchases, and mandatory prison sentences for those caught with knives is a start, but it's not enough. As Idris Elba rightly points out, we need to get to the root cause. These current plans, while well-intentioned, don't cut the mustard.

We're approaching this crisis by focusing on the symptoms again. Tough sentences for somebody already carrying a knife? Let's stop them from wanting to carry a knife in the first place.

Most people carrying knives do so for protection, unaware they're three times more likely to be stabbed if they're carrying. They don't know it's illegal to carry a knife for protection. Why? Because we've stripped away the education on these issues.

Universal government funding for many local governments was removed years ago, leaving schools - overworked and underfunded - to pick up the slack. We're expecting educators to become experts in knife crime, mental health, and county lines, without giving them the resources or time to teach these complex topics effectively.

We know that how we think and feel underpins our behaviour. How we cope with life and manage our emotions massively influences what we do. This is what sets apart someone who will carry a knife from someone who won't. There are environmental factors too, of course.

If we want to tackle knife crime, we need to start with wellbeing and environment. We need to give our young people the confidence and opportunities to step out of this lifestyle, not keep them in it. We need to help them tackle their problems differently, manage their emotions in a healthy manner, and instil self-worth, self-esteem, confidence, and resilience.

We need to bring back universal funding for youth provisions. We need engaging, universal workshops in schools led by experts who can effectively communicate with young people. We need to create safe spaces and mentorship programs in local communities.

At Resilience Voyage, we've seen first hand the impact of proactive education. Our workshops have reached over 10,000 young people, with 97% improving their knowledge on crucial issues like knife crime and county lines. More importantly, we've seen a significant increase in young people feeling able to talk about their problems.

It's time to stop treating the symptoms and start addressing the cause. If you want to tackle knife crime, start with wellbeing and environment. Our youth deserve nothing less.