Much of the headlines after Notting Hill were about crime figures, arrest numbers, the temperature and attendance figures. The media often misses some of the important causes and messages presented by the London communities on floats, banners and t-shirts at a time when much of the media is monopolised by Brexit, Trump and Love Island. So there was little coverage of a ‘Bikes Up, Knives Down’ campaign bus which ran through Notting Hill Carnival, even with the support of BMX star Ryan Taylor and premier league footballer, Andre Grey. The group of young people from the anti- knife crime Wickers Charity, wore stab vests to show their support for the campaign. The charity provides a safe haven for youngsters in East London and an alternative to gang activity and serious youth violence. Another good example of a public health, prevention approach to the challenge of gangs and knife crime. We saw a number of other important contributions by community groups on our day at Carnival but none of them were seen outside London W11.
Read more about the public health approach, and our part in it, on our website – https.//www.ask-us.org.uk – or follow us on Facebook or Linked In
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