CAMPAIGNERS took to the streets of Basildon at the weekend to say ‘No to knife crime’ following a number of recent high profile stabbings in the area. It came just hours after another knife attack in Basildon.

Relatives of Pitsea man Darren Kelly, who died from knife wounds, were among the 60-strong group that gathered at Basildon Upper Academy in Wickford Avenue before walking a mile around Pitsea’s streets to Northlands Park where they enjoyed some refreshments.

Lorry driver Mr Kelly, 42, was stabbed to death in Pitsea in October and was found in Caister Drive.

The walk was arranged by Basildon Council’s Community Involvement Team, Community Safety Partnership and Essex Police to show the town was opposed to knife crime and the walkers were joined by Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock.

Billy Crossman, the council’s community development officer, said knife crime was no worse in Basildon than elsewhere in the country, but because of a number of high profile incidents, the perception was that the town had a problem with knives.

Echo:

Relatives of murder victim Darren Kelly, including his sister Tracy (front), lead off the march against knife crime

He added: “It is the first time we have done a march like this. It is just basically in reaction to some of the high profile incidents in the area.

“I know that the problem is no different to anywhere else. It is not a massive problem and we are just showing that the whole community is against knife crime and carrying knives around in all its forms. We have just had some high profile incidents that affect the whole community.”

He said the council was running weapons awareness safety sessions to educate youngsters about the dangers of carrying knives.

He believed the reason many carried them was for personal safety and the sessions aimed to show that carrying knives did not make people safer or reduce the risk of being attacked.

Mr Metcalfe said: “There is a problem with knife crime generally across the country. I don’t think it is specific to Basildon or Essex. The reason for this march is that there has been a spate of knife crimes and what we are doing today is sending out a message that we are willing to tackle it.”

He believed education was the key to preventing knife crime.

* Three teenagers and Chris Carroll, 20, have been charged with Mr Kelly's murder and remanded in custody to appear before Chelmsford Crown Court in January.