THE BATTLE against knife crime will be stepped up in Redbridge next month - exactly one year since the murder of a popular teenager on the borough's streets.

The launch of Knife Crime Awareness Month in November will coincide with the anniversary of the stabbing to death of 19-year-old Nabeer Bakurally by another teenager who he supposedly 'disrespected.'

Nabeer's murder, in Ilford town centre, came a year after 14-year-old Jack Large was knifed to death in Chigwell by another boy.

Despite announcing a 25 per cent fall in knife crime across Redbridge during the past 12 months, the police and council remain concerned about the number of youngsters still carrying weapons - and have organised a number of awareness-raising events during the coming weeks.

The campaign - which is due to be launched on Monday, November 2 at Redbridge Drama Centre in Churchfields, South Woodford - will include the performance of a special anti-knife play and workshops in the borough's schools.

Screening arches will also be used to check pupils for weapons.

Redbridge Borough Commander Peter Terry said: "Knife crime is comparatively rare in this borough and has fallen this year.

"I want this campaign to remind people that carrying a knife is a mug's game. Knives take lives and ruin lives. You are not safer if you carry a knife for protection.

"All you do is increase the chance of getting seriously injured or arrested.

"This campaign has my wholehearted support and I would urge parents to reinforce this message to their children and reassure themselves that they are not carrying knives."