Mayor Sir Robin Wales is spearheading Enough is Enough, a campaign
where the council has joined forces with the Metropolitan Police
and West Ham United Football Club to raise awareness that weapons
can cause pain and heartache and take innocent lives.
The campaign follows the stabbing of 17-year-old Hammers
fan Rizwan Darbar from Forest Gate, who died after muggers tried to
steal his phone.
Two other boys Adam Regis, 15, from Plaistow, and Paul Erhahon,
14, who went to school in Beckton, also died in knife incidents
earlier this year. In November Bienda Litembola, 17, was killed in
Canning Town.
Rizwan Darbar's family and the mother of Adam Regis are backing
the campaign. There is also support from Home Office Minister Tony
McNulty, urban RnB artist Mumzy, Newham's Young Mayor Zuhayb Ahmed
and Abdul Malik, 20, from Plaistow, who lost his sight after being
shot in April.
West Ham United stars Lucas Neil, Dean Ashton, Anton Ferdinand
and Hayden Mullins as well as former Hammer Leroy Rosenior have
recorded campaign messages encouraging fans to text their support
to a special pledge line.
Mayor Sir Robin Wales said: "This campaign will hopefully
encourage young people to give up weapons and report those who
carry them.
"We want our younger generation to realise that carrying a
weapon will not solve their problems and that there are people and
services who can help if they feel vulnerable.
"Youth crime has decreased in Newham over the past year, but
recent attacks - some of which have resulted in the tragic deaths
of our young people - are proof that knife and gun crime is still a
problem, not only in Newham but throughout the UK.
"We have some amazing role models supporting the campaign
including Young Mayor of Newham Zuhayb Ahmed and Abdul Malik who
lost his sight after being shot. I am confident that young people
will listen to what their peers have to say and hopefully think
about the consequences of carrying and using weapons.
"We have so many talented youngsters in Newham and it saddens me to
think that some of them will throw their lives away - and the lives
of others. Let's all take a stand and say Enough is Enough."
If you want to pledge your support to the campaign you can visit
our pledge wall or text your name and the word ENOUGH to 07624
809655.
If you have any information about gun or knife crime you can
call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Watch
the campaign video
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