A MAN who was slashed in the neck in an attack in Llandudno has started a campaign to raise awareness of knife crime in the area.

Jake Pickstock was slashed twice across his head and throat when on a night out with friends at a club in Llandudno, before being saved by doctors in the early hours of August 21 last year.

He had been celebrating becoming self-employed when a 19-year-old man approached him.

“Lifelong damage in 40 seconds, now that's a scary thought,” said Jake.

“Unfortunately, I can’t change what has happened, but what we can change is turning the attack into a positive for North Wales and the fight against knife crime nationwide.

“My life is focused on achievable goals - preventing an attack like this in the future certainly is achievable.”

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Working with various stakeholders, including Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders, the 25-year-old’s campaign will see:

  • Pubs and clubs across Llandudno displaying #OperationPickstock posters
  • Llew Jones and Arriva Buses Wales displaying the #OperationPickstock posters on their buses
  • Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) arranging for posters to be placed in taxis
  • Transport for Wales committing to display posters at railway stations
  • CCBC and Llandudno Pub Watch working together to provide training for pub staff
  • North Wales Police providing free metal detector wands
  • North Wales Police arranging an amnesty bin
  • Janet Finch-Saunders MS and Llandudno Pub Watch leading a social media campaign so to boost awareness of #OperationPickstock

Jake added: “With Janet’s help we have set up #OperationPickstock to raise awareness of knife crime amongst the younger generation, night time economy and throughout the local community to highlight the damage knife crime can have on multiple lives.

“Lives not knives should be the priority.”

Speaking about the experience of establishing #OperationPickstock with Jake, Mrs Finch-Saunders said: “There were almost 50,000 knife-enabled crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales to the year ending June 2022. Each one of those incidents will have affected countless people, from the victim to public services.

“I would like to praise Jake for the courage he has shown in being willing to use his horrific experience for the greater good.

“Jake is a survivor, but his life was on the line. So to ensure that everyone has a good night out this festive season I am proud that we as a community have measures in place to discourage knife crime.”