Haringey will launch a comprehensive Week of Action starting Monday, 18 May 2026, aimed at providing young people with the tools and education needed to avoid knife crime and gang involvement. This initiative, which runs until Sunday, 24 May, focuses on empowering the borough’s youth through a series of preventative interventions and community-led events designed to foster safety and resilience.
The week brings together a wide network of local partner agencies, including the Metropolitan Police Service, the Youth Justice Service (YJS), and the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS). By working collaboratively, these organizations aim to tackle the root causes of violence while offering practical alternatives through sports, music, and social action. Similar preventative strategies are being deployed across London; for instance, neighboring Brent residents gain access to new life-saving bleed kits and emergency training to bolster community-led medical responses, alongside initiatives tackling rogue landlords to ensure safer living conditions for the community.
Sports and music workshops headline youth engagement
A central feature of the week involves using creative and physical outlets to engage with young people in a familiar environment. The Godwin Lawson Foundation will deliver knife crime awareness workshops during the local Kickz football sessions. These sessions are facilitated by the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, utilizing the appeal of professional sport to deliver critical safety messages to participants.
Simultaneously, the organization ‘United Borders’ will deploy its specialized youth bus to provide interactive music workshops. This mobile recording studio allows young people to express themselves through music production while engaging in meaningful dialogue about the risks associated with knife crime. The borough’s own Mobile Youth Hubs will also be active across Haringey, ensuring that outreach services reach those who may not typically access static youth centers.
Multi-agency safety initiatives and community support
Beyond direct youth engagement, the week includes a robust information-sharing campaign. This includes the distribution of anti-knife crime toolkits and the promotion of online counselling services for those who may be feeling vulnerable or under pressure from local gangs. Schools and community safety teams will work to ensure that these resources are accessible to families and educators throughout the borough.
Young people will also take a lead role in social action by visiting local shops and stores. These visits are designed to remind business owners of their legal obligations regarding the sale of knives. Under current legislation, it is illegal to sell knives to anyone under the age of 18, and these youth-led conversations serve as a community-based reminder of the role retailers play in public safety.
Retailer compliance and police enforcement measures
Haringey Council’s Trading Standards team will conduct test purchase operations throughout the week. These operations involve young volunteers attempting to purchase knives to check whether local businesses are following age-verification protocols. Businesses found to be non-compliant face significant legal consequences, including fines and potential prosecution.
In tandem with these educational and regulatory efforts, the Metropolitan Police Service will maintain a visible presence in identified hotspots. Officers are scheduled to conduct weapon sweeps in public parks and housing estates to remove dangerous items from the streets. Knife arches will also be deployed in key areas as a deterrent and to ensure the safety of residents using public transport and community spaces.
| Activity | Lead Organization | Location/Format |
|---|---|---|
| Football Workshops | Godwin Lawson Foundation | Tottenham Hotspur Foundation Kickz |
| Music Workshops | United Borders | Mobile Youth Bus |
| Retailer Checks | Trading Standards | Borough-wide retail outlets |
| Weapon Sweeps | Metropolitan Police | Local hotspots and parks |
| Youth Outreach | Youth Service | Mobile Youth Hubs |
Residents seeking specific times for local workshops or further information on how to access support toolkits can find details on the dedicated Knife Crime Awareness Week page on the Haringey Council website. These initiatives represent a sustained commitment to long-term prevention, moving beyond reactive policing to build a safer environment for the next generation.
Source: Haringey Council
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