London Stabbing Victim Faces Cancer Diagnosis, Calls for Action Against Knife Crime

A young man from Brixton who was left in a wheelchair after a brutal attack has now been dealt a devastating cancer diagnosis. James Bascoe-Smith, now 20, was left with life-altering injuries after the incident and is now facing a new battle against non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

A life-changing incident

In February 2021, James Bascoe-Smith was testing his mother’s bike when he was ambushed by two hooded men. The attack left him with severe injuries, and he was in the hospital for an extended period. Three years after the incident, he received a new blow with the cancer diagnosis.

Fighting against the odds

James has undergone multiple surgeries and treatments, but he has not given up. His aunt, Rachel Duncan, is advocating for an end to knife crime and wants to see tangible actions taken to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

Support for James Bascoe-Smith

Despite the challenges he has faced, James continues to fight. His family is supporting him through this difficult time, and his mother is even planning to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust by skydiving in Maidstone, Kent.

Efforts to combat knife crime

The issue of knife crime is being addressed by various organizations and individuals. There are ongoing discussions and plans to ban certain types of knives, with a ban on zombie-style knives and machetes coming into force soon.

Statistics on knife-related offenses

According to government data, a total of 41 percent of all homicides in the year ending March 2023 were knife-related. This highlights the need for continued efforts to combat knife crime in the country.

James Bascoe-Smith's journey is a poignant reminder of the impact of knife crime on individuals and their families. As he battles against his new cancer diagnosis, the fight against knife crime remains crucial to prevent similar incidents in the future and to support victims in their recovery.