avoid bad company, Christian Church, Christian faith, develop their full potential, England and Wales, Finsbury Park, Kentish Town police station, Kilburn, Met police, young people,
Friday, 7 April 2017
An awareness event highlighting the dangers of gun and knife crime took place at the UCKG HelpCentre in Kilburn on Sunday 2 April. The aim was to help young people from the local area gain a better understanding of how to avoid being involved in such activities.
It was organised by the local branch of the Victory Youth Group (VYG) and conveyed its messages to an estimated audience of 130 through drama, song, the spoken word and talks by Met police officers. The main focus was on how to avoid bad company and, more importantly, not to put themselves at risk of conviction simply by being present at a crime scene.
Attendees ranged in age from 14 to 27 and were mostly London inner-city kids who have either heard of or know someone who has been involved in risky activities.
The special guest speakers were Abs Manji and Lucy Baker from the youth engagement team at Kentish Town police station, and Majorie Musis an officer in the Trident team. Trident was formed to tackle black-on-black gun crime and has since been expanded to deal with knife and gang crime.
The messages clearly reached the audience as intended. One attendee, Jessica Tannor of Kilburn stated: “It was amazing, the performances were a great way of expressing what young people see all to often and how they view gun and knife crime. I believe it opened a lot of youths’ eyes.
Similar events were held in the UCKG HelpCentres in Finsbury Park, Brixton, Catford and Plaistow, and were also supported by Trident officers and local councillors, and in one instance by the Race Equality Foundation.
ENDS
Notes to editors
UCKG is a Christian church and registered charity that offers a range of practical support activities alongside spiritual support and comfort. It reached the UK in 1995 and has gone from strength to strength, providing support and spreading the Christian faith through its branches in England and Wales.
VYG is the youth arm of the UCKG HelpCentre, and works to help young people develop their full potential. VYG started in the UK in 1996 and has been growing steadily ever since. Over 1,300 young people attend VYG meetings every week, sharing sessions that include practical teaching, fun and spiritual development.
For further information please contact the UCKG HelpCentre Press Officer via e-mail on press@uckg.org or direct line 020 7686 6033, or call the PR consultant on 07867 510909.
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