A Government minister has admitted "there is more we can do" to tackle knife crime after hearing heartbreaking testimony from two North East mothers who lost their teenage sons in fatal stabbings.

Tanya Brown and Zoey McGill told Crime Minister Chris Philp about the tragic deaths of 18-year-olds Connor Brown from Sunderland and Jack Woodley from Newton Aycliffe in a virtual meeting.

It took place in response to an open letter on the front page of The Northern Echo to the Prime Minister calling for a face-to-face meeting last September.

Read more: Open letter to Prime Minister for action on knife crime

The Northern Echo: Chris PhilpChris Philp (Image: Home Office)

Mr Philp said: “My thoughts are with Jack Woodley and Connor Brown’s families, who have shown immense bravery following their tragic deaths.

“I thank their mothers for sharing their testimony with me. We are united in our commitment to tackling knife crime.

“That is why the Government is driving forward its twin-track approach, pairing tough enforcement with programmes to steer young people back on the right path.

“Violence Reduction Units, including the Northumbria and Cleveland centre, are leading this charge alongside record numbers of police officers in England and Wales keeping our streets safe.  

“But we know that there is more we can do. We intend to soon ban more dangerous zombie-style knives, make it easier to seize blades and increase the penalties for selling weapons to young people.”

Despite facilitating the meeting, The Northern Echo was excluded from taking part, even though both mums said would prefer a reporter there to give them moral support.

Both mums are also part of The Northern Echo’s North East Knife Crime Taskforce, a newly formed regional forum to enable organisations involved to share information, expertise and resources with the common purpose of stopping young people from using knives as weapons.

The Northern Echo: Members of the North East Knife Crime Taskforce on the steps of County Hall in DurhamMembers of the North East Knife Crime Taskforce on the steps of County Hall in Durham (Image: Northern Echo)

Read more: First meeting of North East Knife Crime Taskforce in Durham

The Home Office said the meeting with the mums was "private", although did issue a comment from Mr Philp in relation to the taskforce which said: “A collaborative, whole-system response is key to tackling serious violence.

“We have already introduced the Serious Violence Duty, in every area of England and Wales, which means local police, government and health bodies must work together to prevent tragic losses of life.

“I welcome the North East Knife Crime Taskforce’s efforts to bring together even more partners to share information and stop further tragedy.”

The Northern Echo: The first meeting of the North East Knife Crime Taskforce in County Hall The first meeting of the North East Knife Crime Taskforce in County Hall (Image: Northern Echo)

Jack Woodley died in October 2021, a day after he was stabbed during a savage gang attack as he left Houghton Feast.

His ten killers, including Grant Wheatley and Clayton Owen, both 19, and Sonny Smith, 18, are appealing against the conviction with barristers arguing they did not get a fair trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

Three of those now over 18 can be named following a legal challenge by The Northern Echo at the Court of Appeal last week.

The Northern Echo: Grant Wheatley, Clayton Owen and Sonny Smith all took part in the fatal attack on Jack Woodley Grant Wheatley, Clayton Owen and Sonny Smith all took part in the fatal attack on Jack Woodley (Image: Contributor)

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Last month 15-year-old Leighton Amies was jailed for life with a minimum term of 12 years for the murder of Tomasz Oleszak in October 2022 and 12 people have now been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of Gordon Gault, 14, in Newcastle, last November.

Connor Brown, 18, died following a fatal knife attack in an alleyway near Gatsby’s in Sunderland in 2019.

The Northern Echo: Clockwise, from top right, Gordon Gault Tomasz Oleszak, Connor Brown and Jack WoodleyClockwise, from top right, Gordon Gault Tomasz Oleszak, Connor Brown and Jack Woodley (Image: Contributors)

Now Connor's parents are campaign to raise awareness of knife crime to stop other families going through the same ordeal.

Tanya, who formed the Connor Brown Trust with husband Simon, goes into schools to educate children.

She said the video call with Mr Philp has been "a start".

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Mrs Brown said a face-to-face meeting would have been "more personal" so she could make eye contact and gauge his reaction rather than seeing him on her phone screen.

She said: “It was all right but it felt like he had a planned script he was reading from.

“He answered our questions, to be fair, and told us a lot of things that are coming up in the future and we know these things don’t happen overnight, but at the same time we need action here and now.

“It would have been better if the reporter had been there because they could have pushed him further on certain questions and just for the moral support.

“That would have made a difference, but it is a start and a step in the right direction.”