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Beyond Today

Beyond Today: Why are teenagers paid to stab each other?

Why are teenagers paid to stab each other?

BBC Radio 4 - Beyond Today, Why are teenagers paid to stab each other?

Merseyside teenagers say gang leaders are handing out bounties.

PART ONE
Young people in Liverpool are being offered hundreds of pounds by older gang leaders to stab each other. An investigation by Layla Wright for Beyond Today found that bounties are being used in knife attacks. We speak to Alan Walsh, an experienced youth worker in Merseyside who spoke to and recorded the teenagers. He says he was shocked by what he heard. Merseyside Police say they have no evidence that this is happening, but have urged anyone who knows about it to come forward. We also hear from Layla about how difficult it was to get the teenagers to speak.

PART TWO
A look into the mindset that leads people to stab each other. We hear from a former gang member who tells our Home Affairs correspondent Danny Shaw why he’d never leave the house without carrying a knife.

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Why are teenagers paid to stab each other?

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