Latest news with #PoojaKanda
ITV News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Mum of murdered Ronan Kanda, 16, pleads to surrender ninja swords before ban
The mother of a teenager murdered with a ninja sword is pleading with people to give up their weapons before a ban comes into force so 'children can walk home without fear'. A national Surrender and Compensation scheme is being launched for ninja swords in July, ahead of the ban from August 1. Under Ronan's Law, it will be illegal to possess, sell, make or import the knives. The law is named after 16-year-old Ronan Kanda, who was yards away from his Wolverhampton home when he was murdered with a ninja sword in 2022, in a case of mistaken identity. His family and mother Pooja Kanda have been campaigning for the ban since his death. Ms Kanda said: 'It has been three years since Ronan's life was tragically taken as a result of the wounds inflicted by a ninja sword. 'Since then, we have relentlessly campaigned for ninja swords to be taken off the streets as they have no place in society. 'The Government has now introduced a much-needed ban on ninja swords, and we encourage those in possession to surrender them to make the community a safer place where children can walk home without fear.' As part of the Government's new knife surrender scheme, anti-knife crime campaigner Faron Paul, of FazAmnesty, will tour London, the West Midlands and Greater Manchester in an 'amnesty van' to help get rid of dangerous blades. Mr Paul added: 'By taking this service directly into communities, I hope we can reach more individuals, encourage positive decisions, and help reduce the number of harmful items on our streets.' The Home Office is also funding 37 new surrender bins, made by charity Word 4 Weapons, across the same locations where 45% of knife crime in England and Wales takes place. Anyone handing in a ninja sword can also claim compensation of £5 – the wholesale price of the weapon – if they return it to a designated police station. Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said: 'The launch of today's scheme is a result of months of collaborative working with the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime and I'm optimistic about what we can achieve together over the next month and then the years to come as part of our plan for change. 'This scheme is just one part of addressing knife crime. 'We will not stop listening to those who are directly working with those impacted by this crime.'
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Ronan's Law: Pooja Kanda says give up ninja swords ahead of ban
The mother whose teenage son was murdered with a ninja sword is calling for the weapons to be surrendered before a ban comes into force, so that "children can walk home without fear".A weapon-surrender scheme is being launched for the blades next month, ahead of the ban from 1 that date it will be illegal to possess, sell, make or import the ninja swords, as part of anti-knife crime measures introduced under Ronan's legislative change is named after 16-year-old Ronan Kanda, who was yards away from his Wolverhampton home when he was murdered with a ninja sword in 2022, in a case of mistaken identity. His family and mother Pooja have been campaigning for the ban since he died, as he made his way home after buying a PlayStation controller from a friend."It has been three years since Ronan's life was tragically taken as a result of the wounds inflicted by a ninja sword," Ms Kanda said."Since then, we have relentlessly campaigned for ninja swords to be taken off the streets as they have no place in society."The government has now introduced a much-needed ban on ninja swords, and we encourage those in possession to surrender them to make the community a safer place where children can walk home without fear." As part of the government's weapon-surrender scheme, anti-knife crime campaigner Faron Paul, of FazAmnesty, will tour London, the West Midlands and Greater Manchester in an "amnesty van" to help get the blades off the Paul added: "By taking this service directly into communities, I hope we can reach more individuals, encourage positive decisions, and help reduce the number of harmful items on our streets." 'We will not stop listening' The Home Office is also funding 37 new surrender bins, made by charity Word 4 Weapons, across the same locations, where 45% of knife crime in England and Wales takes handing in a ninja sword can also claim compensation of £5 - the wholesale price of the weapon - if they return it to a designated police minister Dame Diana Johnson said: "The launch of today's scheme is a result of months of collaborative working with the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime and I'm optimistic about what we can achieve together over the next month and then the years to come as part of our plan for change."This scheme is just one part of addressing knife crime."We will not stop listening to those who are directly working with those impacted by this crime." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
South Wales Argus
14-06-2025
- South Wales Argus
Anti-knife crime campaigners being honoured vow to continue fight
Pooja Kanda has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) following her tireless campaign for changes in the law after her 16-year-old son Ronan was murdered with a ninja sword yards away from his Wolverhampton home. Speaking to the PA news agency, Ms Kanda said she was 'grateful' and 'overwhelmed' by the honour following the death of her son in June 2022. The 48-year-old said: 'The day I heard about the OBE, I held his picture. I shed tears. 'I know that the OBE is in my name, but this is for my son. 'I'm only here because of who he was. He was such a kind, loving, caring, not a son, not a brother, a human being, a person who everyone loved.' Pooja Kanda with her son Ronan Kanda, who was murdered in a case of mistaken identity (Pooja Kanda/PA) Meanwhile, mother and daughter duo Alison Madgin, 60, and Carly Barrett, 34, have become Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), also for services to the prevention of knife crime. Ms Madgin's daughter Samantha Madgin was a new mother of 18 years of age when she was stabbed to death in Wallsend in 2007. Her son was just 68 days old when she died. The two told PA their honours are 'bittersweet'. Ms Barrett, who was only 16 years old when her sister was murdered, said: 'We've had to lose Samantha to get these honours. 'It was her I wanted to tell.' They set up Samantha's Legacy, a community interest company, in 2019 and have since given talks to young people across the north east of England about the dangers of carrying knives. Ms Kanda said she was driven to campaign after witnessing the trial of her son's killers, who attacked the 16-year-old in a case of mistaken identity. They had been able to buy knives without identity checks. 'During that court case, the revelation each day was: how is this possible?' Ms Kanda said. 'How? How on earth are these types of weapons still available? 'No wonder my son didn't stand a chance.' Ms Kanda and her family began the Justice For Ronan Kanda campaign after his death and have since advocated for changes in the law around the sale of knives. She said one of Ronan's killers had been able to get weapons online 'as easily as getting bread and milk'. The Kanda family's campaigning has already achieved one of its goals – the passing of Ronan's Law which will make it illegal to own, sell, make or import ninja swords in the UK from August 1. Pat McFadden, MP for Wolverhampton South East, Ronan's constituency, thanked Ms Kanda and her family for their efforts when the law was approved in Parliament on April 30. But for Ms Kanda, there is still 'so much to do'. 'This is just one fight for me,' she said. 'There were many failures that I endured, and many failures need to be turned into learnings.' Ms Barrett said becoming an MBE has given her 'fire to go and do more'. Her mother Ms Madgin said: 'For all the victims who haven't got a voice, we are here for them, because a lot of victims can't be as outspoken as what we may be.' Ms Barrett added: 'We don't do it to be recognised, but it gives us that little bit more strength and inspiration to carry on.'
Glasgow Times
14-06-2025
- Glasgow Times
Anti-knife crime campaigners being honoured vow to continue fight
Pooja Kanda has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) following her tireless campaign for changes in the law after her 16-year-old son Ronan was murdered with a ninja sword yards away from his Wolverhampton home. Speaking to the PA news agency, Ms Kanda said she was 'grateful' and 'overwhelmed' by the honour following the death of her son in June 2022. The 48-year-old said: 'The day I heard about the OBE, I held his picture. I shed tears. 'I know that the OBE is in my name, but this is for my son. 'I'm only here because of who he was. He was such a kind, loving, caring, not a son, not a brother, a human being, a person who everyone loved.' Pooja Kanda with her son Ronan Kanda, who was murdered in a case of mistaken identity (Pooja Kanda/PA) Meanwhile, mother and daughter duo Alison Madgin, 60, and Carly Barrett, 34, have become Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), also for services to the prevention of knife crime. Ms Madgin's daughter Samantha Madgin was a new mother of 18 years of age when she was stabbed to death in Wallsend in 2007. Her son was just 68 days old when she died. The two told PA their honours are 'bittersweet'. Ms Barrett, who was only 16 years old when her sister was murdered, said: 'We've had to lose Samantha to get these honours. 'It was her I wanted to tell.' They set up Samantha's Legacy, a community interest company, in 2019 and have since given talks to young people across the north east of England about the dangers of carrying knives. Ms Kanda said she was driven to campaign after witnessing the trial of her son's killers, who attacked the 16-year-old in a case of mistaken identity. They had been able to buy knives without identity checks. 'During that court case, the revelation each day was: how is this possible?' Ms Kanda said. 'How? How on earth are these types of weapons still available? 'No wonder my son didn't stand a chance.' Ms Kanda and her family began the Justice For Ronan Kanda campaign after his death and have since advocated for changes in the law around the sale of knives. She said one of Ronan's killers had been able to get weapons online 'as easily as getting bread and milk'. The Kanda family's campaigning has already achieved one of its goals – the passing of Ronan's Law which will make it illegal to own, sell, make or import ninja swords in the UK from August 1. Pat McFadden, MP for Wolverhampton South East, Ronan's constituency, thanked Ms Kanda and her family for their efforts when the law was approved in Parliament on April 30. But for Ms Kanda, there is still 'so much to do'. 'This is just one fight for me,' she said. 'There were many failures that I endured, and many failures need to be turned into learnings.' Ms Barrett said becoming an MBE has given her 'fire to go and do more'. Her mother Ms Madgin said: 'For all the victims who haven't got a voice, we are here for them, because a lot of victims can't be as outspoken as what we may be.' Ms Barrett added: 'We don't do it to be recognised, but it gives us that little bit more strength and inspiration to carry on.'
Western Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Western Telegraph
Anti-knife crime campaigners being honoured vow to continue fight
Pooja Kanda has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) following her tireless campaign for changes in the law after her 16-year-old son Ronan was murdered with a ninja sword yards away from his Wolverhampton home. Speaking to the PA news agency, Ms Kanda said she was 'grateful' and 'overwhelmed' by the honour following the death of her son in June 2022. The 48-year-old said: 'The day I heard about the OBE, I held his picture. I shed tears. 'I know that the OBE is in my name, but this is for my son. 'I'm only here because of who he was. He was such a kind, loving, caring, not a son, not a brother, a human being, a person who everyone loved.' Pooja Kanda with her son Ronan Kanda, who was murdered in a case of mistaken identity (Pooja Kanda/PA) Meanwhile, mother and daughter duo Alison Madgin, 60, and Carly Barrett, 34, have become Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), also for services to the prevention of knife crime. Ms Madgin's daughter Samantha Madgin was a new mother of 18 years of age when she was stabbed to death in Wallsend in 2007. Her son was just 68 days old when she died. The two told PA their honours are 'bittersweet'. Ms Barrett, who was only 16 years old when her sister was murdered, said: 'We've had to lose Samantha to get these honours. 'It was her I wanted to tell.' They set up Samantha's Legacy, a community interest company, in 2019 and have since given talks to young people across the north east of England about the dangers of carrying knives. Ms Kanda said she was driven to campaign after witnessing the trial of her son's killers, who attacked the 16-year-old in a case of mistaken identity. They had been able to buy knives without identity checks. 'During that court case, the revelation each day was: how is this possible?' Ms Kanda said. 'How? How on earth are these types of weapons still available? 'No wonder my son didn't stand a chance.' Ms Kanda and her family began the Justice For Ronan Kanda campaign after his death and have since advocated for changes in the law around the sale of knives. She said one of Ronan's killers had been able to get weapons online 'as easily as getting bread and milk'. The Kanda family's campaigning has already achieved one of its goals – the passing of Ronan's Law which will make it illegal to own, sell, make or import ninja swords in the UK from August 1. Pat McFadden, MP for Wolverhampton South East, Ronan's constituency, thanked Ms Kanda and her family for their efforts when the law was approved in Parliament on April 30. But for Ms Kanda, there is still 'so much to do'. 'This is just one fight for me,' she said. 'There were many failures that I endured, and many failures need to be turned into learnings.' Ms Barrett said becoming an MBE has given her 'fire to go and do more'. Her mother Ms Madgin said: 'For all the victims who haven't got a voice, we are here for them, because a lot of victims can't be as outspoken as what we may be.' Ms Barrett added: 'We don't do it to be recognised, but it gives us that little bit more strength and inspiration to carry on.'
