TV presenter Alex Beresford gave a moving speech about the impact of knife crime on society as part of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance’s (EHAAT) tenth anniversary Aeromedical Conference.

The Good Morning Britain weatherman and anti-knife crime campaigner spoke how his own family have been personally affected on Wednesday, June 26.

Mr Beresford’s cousin, Nathaniel Armstrong, was tragically killed during a knife attack earlier this year.

Days before his cousin was attacked, the weather forecaster intervened during a knife crime debate, arguing that building more prisons Would not resolve the issue.

Since then he has investigated the subject further in a documentary titled ‘Knife Crime and Me’, in which he spoke to gang members and others who carry knives.

Keynote speaker for the day was Assistant Commissioner Graham Ellis, head of Operational Resilience and Special Operations Group at London Fire Brigade (LFB).

Mr Ellis undertook the Gold Commander role for LFB during several terror attacks on London in 2017.

The conference, held at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford, brought together over 300 medical specialists and staff from emergency services to discuss aspects of pre-hospital medicine.

The theme for the day was ‘Reflect, Learn, Innovate’.

The event was sponsored by Specialist Aviation Services, Leonardo Helicopters, MDS Civil Engineering and Anglia Ruskin University.

Dr Matt O’Meara, pre-hospital care consultant at EHAAT, Dr Phil Cowburn, Medical Director of Great Western Air Ambulance and critical care paramedics, Charli Watkins and Dee Gordon, each shared lessons learned from challenging cases.

There were also presentations from Home Office registered forensic pathologist Dr Ben Swift and San Diego-based Flight Paramedic Phil Grieve, who was EHAAT’s first Clinical director.

Ben Myer, conference lead and clinical manager at EHAAT, said: “It’s been great to see so many colleagues come together to share knowledge and best practice on a range of subjects.

“Once again we attracted a group of high-quality thought-provoking speakers and thank them for their openness and honesty.

“We hope that everyone who attended left having learnt something and will consider the points and themes discussed and apply that learning to their roles.

“The feedback we have had from delegates has been really positive, and we will continue to learn and improve the event going forward.”