Footballer backs anti-knife drive

Schools across the UK are being urged to put up pledge walls

England footballer Rio Ferdinand has helped kick-start a new drive to stop young people carrying knives.

The campaign, which is being run by the Damilola Taylor Trust, marks the sixth anniversary of the schoolboy's death in Peckham, south London.

As part of the Respect Your Life - Not a Knife initiative, youngsters will be urged to make an anti-knife pledge.

Almost 4,000 schools across the UK will be encouraged to take part in the scheme by putting up pledge walls.

It is hoped displays, made up of poems, thoughts and comments made by the children, will encourage communication and enforce the dangers of carrying knives.

The Manchester United defender said: "Damilola was sadly not able to realise his potential and we want to start a legacy for him so kids can get peace on the streets and tolerance for other people as well."

A letter from Damilola Taylor's father, Richard, will be sent to every secondary school head teacher in England, Wales and Scotland urging them to set up a pledge wall.

Please do not put your parents in the same position - if you love them, spare them the agony of losing you Richard Taylor

It will encourage pupils to agree to the promise: "In memory of Damilola Taylor, I pledge to never carry a weapon."

Mr Taylor said at the launch of the initiative at City Hall in London: "This morning I came from visiting my son Damilola in his grave.

"Please do not put your parents in the same position. If you love them, spare them the agony of losing you. Promise to not carry a weapon," he added.

'Used against them'

A Damilola Taylor Trust spokesman said: "Statistics show that the vast majority of knife crime injuries are caused when kids carry them to defend themselves and then they are used against them."

Home Secretary John Reid and London Mayor Ken Livingstone were also at the launch at City Hall in London on Monday.

Damilola bled to death from a leg wound in Peckham, south London, in 2000.

Brothers Danny and Rickie Preddie, aged 18 and 19, of Peckham, south London, were sentenced to eight years each for manslaughter in October.