Andy WatsonNorth East and Cumbria
Andy Watson/BBCThe mother of a teenager who died from a single punch on a night out believes awareness is growing around the dangers of the attacks.
Kristian Thompson died in 2011, months after being punched in the head in Consett on his 19th birthday.
His mum Maxine Thompson-Curl has launched the annual Punched Out Cold campaign, urging people out celebrating over Christmas to “stop, think and walk away”.
She set up the charity One Punch UK after her son’s death and is calling on pubs and bars to keep an eye on those drinking too much.
She said in the 12 years since she launched the charity, messaging around one-punch attacks was “sticking with people” before they went on nights out.
Andy Watson/BBC“No-one wants to live the life I’ve led, losing Kristian destroyed our family and friends, but I hope it can be lesson – take a breath stay calm, walk away,” she said.
“Over the years the campaign has grown across multiple different police forces around the country and I just hope the message is sinking in – it feels like awareness is growing.”
One Punch UK also speaks in schools and has published a children’s book, with the aim of getting the message out to younger people.
The campaign is backed by Durham, Northumbria and Cleveland Police.
Northumbria Police’s Ch Insp Jennifer Busby said the campaign was about getting people to stop and think.
“Violent crime can have lifelong, devastating consequences,” she said.
“We’re dedicated to fighting violent crime but we need the public to play their part.”
