Emdad Rahman
The tragic effects of knife crime were highlighted as grassroots footballers competed for the annual Nahid Cup.
The Latymer School in north London hosted twelve teams battling it out for the right to be crowned champions.
The Nahid Cup is now an annual event and was organised to commemorate the tragic loss of 26 year old Nahid Ahmed, who lost his life after being fatally stabbed in 2020.
Team Nahid, managed by Monowar Hussain reached the final for the third year in a row. The people’s favourites battled valiantly before being beaten 2-0 on penalties by Elyaas Ali’s London Stars, who were crowned worthy champions.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police were present at the tournament as part of community outreach responsibilities, to speak about the effects of knife crime and play football with budding young local footballers.
Nahid’s mother Rushanara Rita Ahmed expressed her gratitude for all those who took part, “Knife crime not only kills but leaves those living having to cope with bitterness, anguish, sorrow and suffering for the rest of their lives.
“I am grateful to everyone for the love shown for Nahid and very proud that his legacy continues to shine, through the affection of those who loved him dearly, and equally, the many strangers who never met him.
“If one precious life is saved as the result of the awareness created today then we as a community can rightly stand proud.”
According to the Ben Kinsella Trust there have been 233 murders involving a knife or sharp instrument in England and Wales in the 12 months to March 2024.
Figures released by the Office For National Statistics reveal that knife-enabled crime in England and Wales has risen by 4% in the year ending March 2024, with police recording 50,510 offences.
This marks a significant 78% increase over the past decade. Despite this rise, the current levels remain 3% lower than the pre-pandemic period ending in March 2020, which saw a record high of 51,982 offences.
There was a significant 13% rise in the number of robberies involving a knife or sharp instrument compared to the previous year, but in contrast, there has been a 3% decrease in the recorded offences of “possession of article with a blade or point,” dropping from 28,391 to 27,470 in the same period.