Express & Star comment: Courage of James Brindley's parents is ncredible

The much-loved 26-year-old was stabbed to death in Aldridge last year after a night out, leading to an outpouring of grief across the borough.

His killer, 17-year-old Ammar Kahrod, was jailed for 17 years for his murder after a trial earlier this year.

Now James’s family has announced the launch of a new programme aimed at helping young people who may be at risk of being dragged into violent behaviour.

It comes in a week where we have seen two more fatal stabbings in the Black Country - one in Wolverhampton and one in Dudley. The latest, sadly, in a string of fatal knife attacks since the death of tragic James.

James’s father, Mark, says the James Brindley Full Circle Programme will focus on education, with the aim of changing attitudes towards violence.

The family wants young people to see the potential consequences of their actions, and to provide them with the skills they need to make choices that have a positive impact on their lives and the lives of those around them.

This is an incredible initiative, not least because of the months of heartbreak and devastation that the family have been through since James was murdered.

They have been through a period that no family should ever have to suffer.

To then put together a programme to try and drive people away from a life of violence is truly incredible.

If they can divert just one person away from turning to violence, it will have been a success.

For too many young people, carrying a knife has become a completely natural thing to do.

Sadly, we have reached a point in our society where among some groups, knives are now viewed almost as a fashion accessory.

The prevalence of blades in our society is undoubtedly one of the key reasons for the alarming rise in violent crime.

We should all be grateful that there are people out there, such as the Brindley family, that are determined to do something about the scourge of knife crime.

They can rest assured that the Express & Star and its readers will be backing them every step of the way.