Housing associations unite to say no to gun and knife crimes

Four of London's leading housing associations have taken a united stand against the gun and knife crime wave currently hitting our streets.

More than 250 young people flocked to the dance venue Ministry of Sound in Southwark on 13 August to attend Put It Down, organised in partnership by Servite Houses, Peabody, London and Quadrant Housing Trust, Wandle Housing and Southwark Police.

Put It Down is supported by the Peabody, London & Quadrant Housing Association, Wandle Housing and the Metropolitan Police.

The event successfully taught London's young people that they have choices by showcasing the many creative alternatives to available to them.

The scene buzzed with hope as the young people present enthusiastically participated in all the creative workshops on offer. Foundation4Life ran mentoring workshops, Live Magazine taught interested young people about journalism while Choice PM Peace on the Streets held Djing lessons.

The crowd then moved into the main room where they were entertained by a line-up of their musical role models who encouraged the attendees to say no to gangs. DJ Ironik, Tincy Stryer, Chipmunk, MasterStepz, Ms Darkz, Jaeshaw and Comfort performed musical sets along with some up and coming local musical acts.

Identifying with the young people in attendance, the compere Kojo offered valuable advice.

"There are very few role models out there," Kojo said. "We need all of you guys to be future role models. Whatever it is that you want to do, get it done. Remember there is a purpose for every single person. It is not how you get into trouble but how you come out of it."

Kojo encouraged the young people to "make a difference today" and change their lives for the better. "We have all lost too many people. Too many people are dying for foolishness."

Anyone young person who had not yet been reached finally heard the main message of the day when victims of gun and knife crime shared their traumatic experience with the crowd.

Martin Hopwood, who lost his son to gun/knife crime said: "Why should someone walk around carrying a gun or knife? We have to remember that guns and knifes don't kill people but people kill people. We have to stop to remember that lives are far more important than material things and that human beings are much more important than money."

Iffat Rizvi whose daughter was also killed by gun crime told the audience to "put the guns and knifes down" and pick up a much stronger weapon - "the pen".

Peabody's youth and extended services manager, Sharon Barbour, said: "For many of London's youths, their families and indeed entire communities, gang culture and gun and knife crime is all too real.

"But we want people to know that the situation is not yet hopeless. Put It Down was a great opportunity for all of the housing partners to work together with youths to tackle the serious issues at hand. We are sure that our united message reached many of the young people who attended the event.

"Thanks to the efforts of all the partnership, young people know that they do have a choice and hopefully they will now feel empowered to make the right decisions about their future."

Further information: contact Yasmin Noon, media relations officer for Peabody, on 020 7021 4210 or by email - yasmin.noone@peabody.org.uk.

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