Arc was invited to join the Leader of the Council, Darren Rodwell, and Councillors, the Police, teachers, students and local community organisations coming together to pledge their support to tackling knife crime in the Borough.
Duran Kajima was stabbed to death in Dagenham in November 2016. His mother Beatrice is now committed to raising awareness about the consequences and impacts of knife crime through working with parents, community organisations and young people.
The event was attended by residents from across the Borough, who joined in the conversation about youth violence and weapon carrying, including a facilitated panel discussion including Arc’s Education Director, Natalie Smith, who said, “If we are going to take away weapons from young people, we need to have something to replace them with, whether it be sport or the creative arts…”
At the end of the event, participants were encouraged to sign a pledge, promising to:
• Be #knifefree
• Educate young people about knife crime
• Create opportunities for young people, giving them positive choices
• Work together to share expertise, knowledge and information
• Seek support if a young person is in trouble
You can join us in our promise to take action against knife crime. Please complete and share the Community Pledge form, returning it by 9 November to events@lbbd.gov.uk
Read full article in B&D Post, 18 October 2018