We need to work together to tackle the problem of knife crime among young people

Growing up in London is fantastic. A childhood full of possibilities and opportunities, where young people from all backgrounds can dream big.

As a boy growing up in a council flat in south London, I never imagined that one day I’d be Mayor of London – but our city made it possible.

One of my top priorities as Mayor is for every young Londoner – no matter who they are or where they live – to be able to grow up safely, and to have the opportunities to fulfil their potential.

But tragically our city is not always safe for all young people today. Knife crime is ruining too many young lives, devastating too many communities and leaving too many families bereaved and in pain.

This year alone, 40 young Londoners under the age of 25 have lost their lives to knife crime. It is an epidemic that touches us all – last year a 20-year-old student was tragically killed just yards from my own front door.

Knife crime is a notoriously complicated and multi-dimensional problem and there is no easy solution. Tough policing and enforcement is vital and the Metropolitan Police is taking the problem extremely seriously. We launched a comprehensive new knife crime strategy earlier this year, but the police can’t solve this problem on their own.

There is an old proverb which says it takes a village to raise a child. That means the whole community – parents, families, teachers, neighbours, friends, schools, youth clubs and social workers – must all play their part if we are to give the next generation the opportunities to survive and thrive. This could not be more true when it comes to the issue of knife crime. If we are to tackle this scourge and protect the next generation, then we must all play our role.

We need to get the message across to young Londoners that their lives are too valuable to risk by carrying a knife. They are our future musicians, artists, sportsmen and women, comedians, scientists, politicians, entrepreneurs and role models. Our city and our society need them alive.

That is why today I am launching a new movement with a powerful message for young Londoners, by young Londoners: London Needs You Alive – don’t carry a knife. The message is simple: you are valuable. By using your talent, you can accomplish great things. You can encourage more young Londoners not to pick up a knife.

We need Londoners to hear this message from the people they most look up to, so I am delighted that some powerful voices are speaking out today. From leading grime artists, like Yungen, to the blogger The Slumflower, these are the people young Londoners listen to and look up to. They have used their talent to achieve great things and to realise their potential. Now they are helping to ensure the next generation can do the same.

But it will need our whole city to make a difference. I am asking all Londoners to join our campaign and to help make a real difference by telling our young people that London needs them alive.

This is one part of our strategy to tackle knife crime in London. We will continue to take tough action against those who break the law, to do more to keep knives of our streets, and to support the victims of knife crime as well as all the families and communities that are affected by violent crime. If we approach the challenge of knife crime as a true village – and all Londoners play our part – we can ensure that all young Londoners get the opportunity to grow up in safety and to fulfil their potential.

Sadiq Khan is the Mayor of London