Eddie Izzard has called for measures to tackle the root causes of crime as part of her campaign to become the MP for Brighton Pavilion.

The comedian is among those running to become Labour’s candidate for the constituency at the next general election.

Eddie backed The Argus’s new Cut Knife Crime campaign as she called for greater community policing, investment in the futures of young people and tougher sentences as ways of “disincentivising” people from carrying knives.

She said: “If you’re carrying a knife on you, there’s got to be a strong idea in your head that you’re going to use it.

“We have to disincentivise the younger generation and move them away from a life of crime.”

Eddie highlighted the importance of quality education, vocational training, and youth services in helping young people.

The Argus:

She also criticised the Conservatives for “pulling back” funding for youth services over the last 13 years.

Eddie also endorsed the idea of creating youth zones where young people can be themselves and get mentorship.

“Let’s build a safer, happier Brighton Pavilion - where crime doesn’t stand a chance and our community shines bright like the stars we are,” she said.

As part of the Cut Knife Crime campaign, The Argus has talked to those most affected by the tragedy of knife crime, as well as Sussex Police and local charities.

Latest figures have revealed a rise of almost 40 per cent for possession of weapons offences across Sussex in the space of a year.

Our campaign mission is to Cut Knife Crimes and the number of people being injured and killed in stabbings through:

  • Increasing the use of knife amnesty bins
  • Educating young people about knife crime and making them aware of the effects it has on not just the victim, but those around them
  • Having more bleed control kits in pubs, shops and businesses

The campaign comes after three young people were stabbed in Brighton city centre in the space of just five days last month.

Whoever is chosen to be Labour’s candidate for Brighton Pavilion will face off against the Green Party’s Sian Berry, who has already been selected as her party’s candidate following the announcement that sitting MP Caroline Lucas will not run for re-election next year.

Labour is expected to select its candidate for the constituency sometime next month.