The mother of murdered Bermudian teenager Lyrico Steede has spoken out against violent crime as police in Britain launch a national knife amnesty.

Keishaye Steede, whose 17-year-old son was fatally stabbed in Nottingham on February 13 last year, has told Nottinghamshire Police that getting involved in gun or knife crime can “destroy your life, for ever”.

As part of the nationwide drive, Nottinghamshire Police are holding a knife crime amnesty with the support of community partners.

This week the authority will showcase its work to tackle knife crime, as part of Operation Sceptre, which ends at midnight on Sunday.

Ms Steede said in a filmed interview with police: “It is the people who kill people, and if they have any problems with something that’s going on, or they feel unsafe, they need to talk to somebody, because ending a life or getting in trouble for carrying a knife or gun or whatever, could really destroy your life, for ever.

“I would just say to get your education, stop listening to all that ‘trap music’, stop writing music that is ‘dissing’ each other and try to be more positive. A positive life is a happy life.”

In December 2018, a jury found Kasharn Campbell, 19, and Christian Jameson, 18, guilty of murder, and a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, guilty of manslaughter, along with Remmell Campbell-Miller, 18.

Campbell was sentenced to 20 years and 37 days, while Jameson was given 16 years and 36 days.

The 17-year-old boy received a sentence of 7½ years and Miller-Campbell was given nine years in custody.

This week, persons armed with knives are encouraged to drop them off at an amnesty bin at 25 police stations, partner agency and community building receptions across Nottinghamshire, without fear of prosecution.

According to the Nottinghamshire Police website: “It is a chance for people to play their own individual part in making their own communities safer by preventing weapons from falling into the hands of criminals.”

Throughout the week, Nottinghamshire Police will display its efforts to combat knife crime, including educational workshops for schoolchildren, community weapons sweeps and proactive operations.