Young people and adults from across east London have taken part in an event attended by Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz to take a stand against knife crime and violence.
Knives seized by police from the streets of Newham were melted down and crafted, under the guidance of expert metal workers, and transformed into new garden tools and a sculpture for display in an East Ham community garden.
In a week that saw a 43-year old man stabbed to death in Stratford, Mayor Fiaz said: “Getting weapons off our streets is a priority and on Saturday I visited a community-led project in East Ham that is doing this. The Let’s Beat Knives initiative at the Bonny Downs Community Association only strengthens my message that a lifestyle associated with violence is not one I want for our young people. I am committed to addressing causes of youth violence and the Council has agreed to support this particular project by helping to provide a knife surrender bin.”
The bin will be funded by Transform Newham, an informal network of churches in the borough, and Newham Council. Working in conjunction with the Salvation Army and Word4Weapons, the UK’s leading weapons surrender charity, the bin is expected to be ready for use by the end of the summer.
Dr Sally Mann, Minister of Bonny Downs Baptist Church and spokesperson for Red Letter Christians in the UK, said: “Today we’ve seen 800 people vocally and passionately calling for change. We’re determined, in our own small way, to create a legacy that lasts.
“The beautiful tools and art we’ve created out of knives from the streets will serve as a public reminder that hope can win over hate. We’ve committed today to delivering a knife surrender bin this summer, the only one in our borough. Perhaps above all, we look forward to discussing the great ideas we’ve heard today from many people already working for a safer community about how we can partner together better.”