Bleed kits set to save lives on the streets of Salford 

A mum is campaigning for bleed control cabinets to be installed in Salford after her son was murdered last year due to knife crime.  

Emergency bleed cabinets, also known as Bleed Boxes, contain crucial instructions and equipment designed to reduce major blood loss on the body after sustaining injuries.  

Similarly to defibrillators, they can be accessed by a code provided by a 999 call operator.  

16-year-old Rhamero ‘Mero’ West was attacked by a group of teenagers in Old Trafford in September of last year and later died in hospital. His mum, Kelly Brown, started up the charity Mero’s World shortly thereafter.  

“My Son bled to death from his legs”, Kelly said. “Had there been [a bleed kit] there to pack [the wounds] until the ambulance service got there then he might still be here today”. 

Prior to establishing the charity, Kelly contacted Lynne Baird who co-founded the Bleed Box movement and helped to install them throughout Birmingham.  

Kelly added: “She inspired me because Manchester do need them, our streets aren’t getting any better.” 

Currently there are 14 bleed boxes across Greater Manchester. The first one, which was installed in Fallowfield, paid tribute to the schoolboy in February this year.  

However, Salford is yet to see any on its streets. Organisations including the Carry Tour Dreams, Not a Knife Crime Prevention Team, Manchester United Foundation and VG Community Automative Club have supported the campaign by providing funding.  

There are aims to begin the launch by placing kits in Eccles and Monton. “We could save another child”, Kelly said.   

Greater Manchester Police introduced Operation Sycamore for 2022 with aims to educate youths in schools about knife crime.  

As part of this, Forever Amnesty bins have been placed in 13 police stations across Greater Manchester allowing for knives to be disposed of without judgement or question.  

Increased police patrols have also been enforced to try and tackle the issue.  

Kelly said: “Where the bleed cabinets are concerned, it shouldn’t be me, a mum who’s lost a child, getting the first one out on our streets. 

“Knowing how bad our streets are, it should be the Police, the Government and everyone backing us.”  

If you wish to donate towards the Bleed Box campaign in Salford, you can visit here.

Alternatively, if you require any support or wish to know more you can visit No More Knives.