A MOTHER who was stabbed four times while walking home in Wembley spoke to children from Preston Park Primary School about the dangers of carrying knives.
Rivka Jacobson was in Brook Avenue, Wembley, when she was attacked by a robber who tried taking her handbag and stabbed her four times.
Mrs Jacobson bravely spoke to year six pupils at the school in College Road, Wembley, and shared her experiences about how her life has changed.
She said: "When I came home from hospital after having my stab wounds treated my son hugged me and didn't let go. He thought he would never see me again. It then dawned on me that my children could have been orphaned and my husband widowed.
"I was off work for a week but could do little for more than a month. Six months after the attack I am still recovering from the trauma of the attack. The fear that it might happen again haunts me. As soon as it gets dark I won't walk anywhere alone. My husband has to wait for me outside the station to either walk or drive me home."
The pupils asked Mrs Jacobson questions and Preston Safer Neighbourhoods Team were on hand to talk about the rise of knife crime and offer advice.
Mrs Jacobson said: "With hindsight I wish I had given the attacker my handbag. I would strongly advise anyone confronted by a thug not to hold on to anything. Hand over everything demanded. Just don't risk your life."
The talk was part of Operation Blunt 2, a campaign led by the Metropolitan Police to crackdown on knife crime. Sixteen teenagers have been killed by violent crime on London's streets this year alone.
Simon Underwood, from Preston Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "We felt it was important to speak to the year six pupils as come September they will be moving onto bigger and more grown up environment where they may come into contact with the small minority of older youths who think it is acceptable to carry a knife.
"I would like to thank Rivka for sharing her horrific ordeal in order to bring some good from a very difficult experience. I would also like to thank the pupils for their eager participation in the discussions."
