Police have urged young people to “get rid” of their knives amid fears London could see a record number of teenage killings this year.

The number of teenage homicides in London has already reached 26 in 2021 – just three less then a record 29 teenage killings recorded in 2008, according to the Metropolitan Police.

This was nearly passed in 2017, when 27 teenage killings were recorded.

The Met’s lead on violent crime, Commander Alex Murray, said: “Part of talking to you today is to say to people, put the knives down, get rid of them – just get rid of them.”

Since the Black Lives Matter movement, police say there has been a “huge advancement” in the relationship between activists and the police, meeting weekly in Croydon to have “really challenging conversations”.

Community activist Anthony King said: “I don’t want to be associated with a record year of killings, it’s time we stop hiding the fact that knives are going missing from the kitchen.”

BBC Radio 1Xtra’s DJ Milktray, real name Martin Wright, hopes music will help combat the rise in teenage killings, having co-founded mentoring scheme The Hope Programme.

Met Police knife crime reduction trial yields just two court orders in first 10 weeks

Harrow stabbings: Five people taken to hospital with stab wounds following ‘large fight’ in northwest London

Device to stem blood loss from knife wounds wins UK James Dyson award

He said: “Music is a massive part of trying to connect with everybody, it is the language of the world.

“Drill music has really opened people’s eyes to really what is going on out here in our communities. As much as it can glorify, it’s a reality check and I feel for some parents it’s a way for them to see what’s really going on.”

Michael Pusey, better known as DJ CK Flash, who founded the Peckham BMX club, said: “You can make it as a music star, but it’s about what you put back into the community once you make it as a star.

“It’s all good to do your music, making money, have the flash car, but what are you going to put back into it, to show young people the journey from zero to hero.

“There’s enough of the talking, let’s do the doing, let’s keep the young people off the streets.”

Pastor Damian Luke, based in Croydon, said: “It’s heartbreaking for us because we know these kids, we have to hold funerals for children we have seen growing up, who have gone to the same school as our children.

“It feels like it’s your own child, but the point is, there is still hope.”

Related posts:

COVID vaccines have prevented 10,400 deaths in older adults, Public Health England says PM praises Prince Philip’s ‘steadfast support’ for Queen as tributes paid to duke ‘He was our everything’: Family pays tribute to boy, 9, killed after being ‘struck by lightning’ Scotland beaten in first appearance at a major tournament in 23 years Mexico crocodile attack twin describes how she punched animal as it death rolled her sister BBC journalist abused and chased by anti-lockdown protesters in London UK daily COVID cases exceed 40,000 – highest since mid-January Children as young as 13 are being recruited by far-right extremists, says MI5 director-general Police forces to review allegations involving serving officers following Sarah Everard murder ‘We are devastated’: Tribute to musician ‘beaten and thrown into river’ on holiday in Georgia UK records 40,375 new COVID cases and 145 deaths Harry Kane breaks competitive goal scoring record for England after perfect hat-trick