ACTORS IDRIS ELBA AND CHUCKY VENN have spoken out against the spat in knife crime across the capital, calling for young people to put the knives down.
Idris Elba led the way, posting a video on Instagram about the string of knife crime-related deaths in London, and claimed the violence makes communities "look stupid".
"Knife crime is not new. I grew up in the 80s and there was knife crime back then, between blacks and whites. And now it’s definitely between young black men in small, tiny communities. And it’s affecting everyone, we all look stupid.
"You look even more stupid if you’ve got a knife or you know someone that’s got a knife,” said the actor. “Tell them to stab themselves right now, trust me. Because you’re just going to stab your future if you go and stab someone else. You become a murderer, you go to prison, you ain’t got s**t. For what? For some beef that lives within your community. You need to see past that."
Turning to his peers, Idris added: "We have to say something about it as well. Entertainers that are out there, there’s young people that look up to us, man, we need to just vocalise this. Send a message out saying, 'Put the knives down. It’s dumb'.
"Entertainers, do me a favour, man. Put out similar videos (and) let’s try and put out something and say that we care for our communities. Stop the knife crime, please."
Venn followed Elba by posting a video to Twitter, pleading for youths to “find another way.”
“As a father of four, I fear for the safety of my children on road,” said the Strictly Come Dancing star. “I came from a very harsh environment myself - I was born and raised on Third Avenue, Mozart Estate - that’s Harrow Road. I’ve seen these situations, but I stand here as living proof to say that there is a better way to handle beef.
“We are killing our future, and people in the public eye need to [use their] voice and make it our responsibility to try and encourage and influence those youths who feel there is no better way. Trust me, there is a better way, I beg you please put the knives down.”
Comedian Mo Gilligan echoed similar sentiments, when he posted a message on his Instagram account, asking people to spread positivity.
“Way too many young people are either dying or going to jail because of knife crime. Families are being torn apart and young people are being taken away from us so young they’re not even able to see out their 18th birthday,” Gilligan wrote.
“If you’re reading this and you are carrying a knife, then you become a statistic waiting to happen. The choices you make today design your future. Stop the violence and spread positivity.”
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