Children from 30 primary schools have taken part in workshops as part of a campaign to encourage them to say no to knife crime.
The workshops, which have taken place at Tate & Lyle Sugars, in Silvertown, are part of the Carry A Knife, Not A Blade campaign run by the Newham All Stars Sports Academy with the police and the sugar giant.
The campaign wants to encourage young people to say no to knife crime and the gang lifestyle that accompanies it and take up a basketball instead. The series of workshops, called Junior Citizens programme, also involved Fight for Peace, the Fire Brigade and officers from the Metropolitan Police.
They have also tackled a range of other issues including stranger danger and youth offending in the last three weeks.
The campaign was set up by NASSA player Anthony Okereafor in 2007 after the death of his two friends from knife crime.
Anthony said: “It’s all about breaking down divisions between youngsters from different postcodes and between youngsters and the police. Too many young people are dying just because they happen to walk into the ‘wrong’ area.”
Newham Borough Commander, Rob Jones, said: “Newham Police is very proud to be involved with partners like NASSA and Fight for Peace, and it was clear that Newham has some very talented young people of whom it can be very proud.”
Fight for Peace uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence.
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