News Archive

Capital Basketball

by msecadm4921

Politicians, police officers and community representatives were joining dozens of youngsters on Friday, May 20, as the victims of knife crime in the capital were remembered at a commemorative basketball tournament.

The event, to mark the third anniversary of the ‘Carry A Basketball, Not A Blade’ campaign, saw Labour MP and former Government minister Stephen Timms – who was stabbed in his constituency surgery – play in a showcase game against a Metropolitan Police Service team.

There was a minute’s silence for those who have lost their lives to knife crime and police workshops aimed at tackling knife crime, gang activity and anti social behaviour.

Guests included Home Office minister James Brokenshire, leading London Assembly member John Biggs and Newham Borough Commander Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Letchford, who presented a cheque from the MPA for £8,000 to help keep the campaign running. Sir Richard Branson’s son Sam donated £11,000 he raised on Channel 4’s Famous and Fearless programme.

The event was organised by the Newham All Star Sports Academy (NASSA) which reaches out to 1,800 youngsters at 66 schools every week.

Natasha Hart, director of NASSA, said: "Basketball offers the opportunity to develop key life skills and creates a strong team ethos as well as educating about health and nutrition.

"But most importantly, it removes young people from the streets and away from the persuasion of becoming involved in knife crime.’Carry A Basketball Not A Blade’ is about giving young people opportunities, creating role models and developing their self-belief."

Chief Inspector Gary Brown, the youth lead from Metropolitan Police Newham Borough, said: "I cannot praise NASSA enough for their commitment to keeping our young people safe through basketball. This will be a magnificent event, and will remember those young people who have lost their lives throughout the capital because of knife crime.

"Police in Newham remain totally committed to making people of all ages in the borough safer and this event is a great way to celebrate what the community and police, working together, can achieve.

"As a bonus, I predict that the Met Police team will beat NASSA on the basketball court! I am even looking forward to making a brief appearance myself."

Related News

  • News Archive

    Sports Body

    by msecadm4921

    There are moves to develop a professional association for the sports security sector, report organisers of the recent second International Sports Security…

  • News Archive

    BSIA Members

    by msecadm4921

    The British Security Industry Association reports that 86pc of its membership consists of Small and Medium Enterprises. "SMEs play a valuable role…

  • News Archive

    Trap Houses

    by msecadm4921

    Equipment, including ‘trap houses’ fitted with hidden cameras and tagged property, is being used by police to catch burglars thanks to a…

Newsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay on top of security news and events.

© 2024 Professional Security Magazine. All rights reserved.

Website by MSEC Marketing