The heartbroken mum of murdered teenager Tomasz Oleszak has made an emotional plea to parents to help tackle knife crime.

Kamila Wisniewska says her ‘world stopped’ when her ‘happy and beloved’ son Tomasz was killed in October last year by knife-wielding 14-year-old Leighton Amies on the Springwell Estate in Gateshead.

Baby-faced Amies boasted about stabbing Tomasz, also 14, and was convicted of his murder in June this year. He will spend at least 12 years behind bars.

Kamila is supporting a week-long knife amnesty this week where those with blades can surrender the weapons at police stations regionwide.

She said: “My world stopped on October 3 last year and the terrifying images of that night come back to me every day.

The Northern Echo: Tomasz Oleszak.Tomasz Oleszak. (Image: Northumbria Police)

“I still don't believe I have lost Tomasz forever and I'm still waiting for him to come back. It's terrifying what Leighton did. How terribly he hurt Tomasz, me, my entire family, friends and our community. Words cannot express how our hearts have been torn to shreds.

“My son never hurt anyone and never wished harm on anyone. He was happy, enjoyed life and had plans for the future.

“My heart goes out to all those families who have lost someone in this way. Hearing of other children whose lives have been lost makes my blood run cold. Who do you have to be to leave home armed with a knife? What is this world coming to when children kill children?

“I really hope that people will learn lessons from our loss but that remains to be seen. I think that badness is hard to overcome, but I do believe change is possible and good should always win.

“For me, this change starts in the home. So I am asking you all, parents and guardians, please pay more attention to your children before it is too late.

The Northern Echo: Leighton Amies was jailed for Tomasz's murder.Leighton Amies was jailed for Tomasz's murder. (Image: Contributor)

“Teach them respect for others and the world. Be interested in them, ask about their private life and their problems, because sometimes it is not visible, sometimes they keep it to themselves and then it may be too late and someone will be hurt.

“If you need help and you notice bad changes in them, ask the school, psychologists or the police for help. Don't pretend that you don't see it or think that your child will just change, because more often change doesn’t happen and tragedy can happen.”

Those wanting to give up their knives will be able to do so in surrender bins at police stations across the region as part of Operation Spectre. They will be in place until Sunday (November 19).

Officers will also be out targeting suspects, carrying out additional patrols, searches and warrants throughout the week.

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Kamila has also written a letter set to be given to schoolchildren telling them: “Try to imagine that the friend who is sitting next to you now is sitting there for the last time.”

The Northern Echo continues to campaign to end the scourge of knife-crime and has brought together its Knife Crime Taskforce to encourage discussion and collaboration on the topic.

Northumbria Police Superintendent Scott Cowie added: “Education is essential to change attitudes, highlight the potential consequences of carrying knives and make sure the message is heard loud and clear that it is completely unacceptable to go out with a weapon.

“We would also ask families to continue to have conversations about the dangers of carrying knives – and if you suspect someone is going out doing so to let us know so we can take positive action.

“I would also ask people to work with us and play their part by bringing in unwanted knives and sharp objects into our surrender bins and making sure that suspicious behaviour is reported.”