Poster girl heads fight on knives

11:01am Tuesday 8th July 2008

PUPILS from every secondary school in Enfield were given the opportunity to take part in an art competition to design an anti-knife crime poster which will be on show across the borough.

Year 7-9 pupils, aged between 11 and 14, took part in the competition, which was sponsored by local accountants Hurkan Sayman & Co, in Palmers Green.

The winner, Alexandra Vine, 14, a pupil from Highlands School, was presented with a prize during a special assembly on Monday.

As well as winning £250 for her school, Alexandra also won a £50 HMV voucher for herself.

Liz Ashton, operations manager at Highlands School, said: "(Knife crime) is a huge thing at the moment in terms of the news agenda.

"Two weeks ago we had a conference here, organised by students, centred around knife crime.

"It is really positive that there are students out there who want to do something about this."

Enfield has one of the largest Safer Schools units in the Metropolitan Police, with a dedicated team of officers based in secondary schools across the borough.

Inspector Mick Lees, from the Safer Schools Unit, said: "This competition demonstrates our commitment to tackling knife crime in a fun and artistic way, and it is pleasing to highlight a positive news story involving young people."

Cllr Ertan Hurer, formerly the cabinet member for community safety, and one of the five partners of Hurkan Sayman & Co said: "We were delighted to be able to sponsor the prize money, which encourages some really wonderful posters.

"It was also an excellent idea to not only award prize money to the winning pupils but also to the schools, who do so much to foster talent in our young people."

Cllr Matthew Laban, cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: "With violence on our streets between young people becoming the number one concern for both public and police, this competition could not be more timely."