A mosque and church in Edmonton have pledged to work together to combat knife crime after holding an awareness event last week.

The Muvlani Rumi Centre and Edmonton Methodist Church in Fore Street hosted an event last Tuesday where young people heard from Enfield North MP Nick de Bois, knife crime campaigner Hazel Nelson-Williams and PC Karl Morris from the Metropolitan Police about how to tackle the problem.

The centres decided to help bring together people from different backgrounds to talk about the problem, after organising their own events in the past.

Student Volkan Akdag, who helped organise the event, said: “We all live in the same neighbourhood and can help each other fight this common evil.

“Both Nick de Bois and the police are also motivated to nail this problem in Edmonton and we wanted to facilitate a platform for local youth and parents to meet and dialogue with them.

“We are aware that continuity is important, and we must sustain efforts if any change is to be made. We are open to join forces with any other community group or centre willing to get involved.”

The Enfield Independent ran a successful campaign backed by Mr de Bois and Ms Nelson-Williams last year to introduce mandatory four-month custodial sentences for 16 and 17-year-olds guilty of using a knife in a threatening way.

Ministry of Justice figures suggested that each year up to 400 teenagers could be jailed under the new legislation.

The move follows a series of stabbings on the streets of Edmonton, including the murders of 15-year-old Negus McClean, 14-year-old Leroy James and 21-year-old Steven Grisales.

PC Morris told the audience last Tuesday: “It is important that the good youngsters also spread the word about not carrying knives.”