Louis' latest hard-hitting film shines light on the trouble with knife crime

Failsworth-based former aircraft load controller and dispatcher Louis Harding is hoping to make more waves in the exciting world of documentary-making once his second film is released tonight (Monday) at 6pm.

After 10 years at Manchester Airport, Louis Harding lost his job 12 months ago thanks largely to the continuing coronavirus crisis.

His long-held passion for videography subsequently drew Louis into what he hopes will become his new career.

Prospects look promising on that score, because just two days after releasing his first full documentary in September last year - 'The war on Covid-19' - it amassed just short of 50,000 views.

Now, thanks to great help from friend and producer colleague Nyle Walker, Louis is set to release another tremendously hard-hitting film - ‘The War on Knife Crime’.

Louis, who is 28, told us: “In October 2020 we began filming in Manchester, researching those who had been affected by knife crime, and we certainly didn’t struggle for content.

“With Manchester recording numerous knife crime incidents each day, we wanted to go back to the root cause.

“I managed to speak to an ex-gangster, Matthew Norford, who is now a youth worker and police trainer.

“He told me why he believes knife crime is on the rise and how it has changed from gun wars to knife wars.

“I wanted to get a professional opinion on the matter so I chatted with a doctor in criminology from the university of Salford, who shared his stories on camera. 

“I then interviewed a couple from Limeside, who had unfortunately lost their son - Tommy Bilton - just over five years ago to a knife attack in Oldham town centre.

“That was a pretty hard thing to hear from the parents as they had never talked about it. 

“Although my time in Manchester was going well in terms of filming, we were struggling to find those who were doing their bit to tackle this ever-growing crisis – so we turned to London.

“London records over 40 knife crimes a day. 

“After lots of research we managed to speak with two charities who were doing their bit. 

“They were ‘Lives not knives’ - a funded youth centre and youth programme where the staff go in to schools to try and dissuade those who may be involved knife crime, and ‘Binning knives saves lives’ - a team who go out onto the streets to collect knives. 

“There is so much in the documentary, and Nyle and I are really looking forward to the release.”

Check out Louis' film on YouTube here

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