'Choose Life, Drop the Knife': London church in mission to end knife crime

A parish church in north London is leading a fight against knife crime after four young men were stabbed to death on New Year's Eve in one of the worst ever days for knife crime in London.

St Mellitus Catholic Church, near Finsbury Park, is hoping to raise £9,000 for a 'knife bin' outside its building where people can anonymously and securely hand in their weapons.

St Mellitus Roman Catholic Church, in the Diocese of Westminster, is in an area of London with particularly high rates of knife crime. Google Maps

The parish itself is in an area with high levels of knife crime and after two young boys were killed in the area, St Mellitus' justice and peace group decided to focus their energy on combating the rising tide of teenagers carrying knives.

Since then volunteers from the church have started campaigns, raised money and joined police officers on 'search and sweeps' in the local park which parish priest Canon John O'Leary tells Christian Today is notorious for gangs hiding their knives.

'There are terrible things that happen,' he says, before adding: 'But there are also wonderful things that happen.' And the church's efforts are aimed at being a light in the otherwise growing darkness of knife crime.

The 'Choose Life, Drop the Knife' campaign has been running for years, long before the recent deaths on New Year's Eve, and when Father O'Leary is asked why the church is getting involved he says the 'reason rather obviously is we want to save young people's lives'.

He told Christian Today: 'There is a great sense of alienation and by being a member of a gang you are creating a sense of belonging.

'We have to try and provide an alternative and a real sense of belonging [in the Church],' he said.

'It is trying to bring everyone together.'

He adds: 'Not that I have all the answers but it is trying to work out what makes a young man feel like he has to carry a knife. What has happened that they think that is necessary?'

It comes after London Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the 'horrific' killings on New Year's Eve, saying perpetrators will face that 'full force of the law'. 

He said: 'The police were out in force helping people enjoy our city's fantastic celebrations last night, and I thank them. However, it is horrific that knife crime has claimed another four young lives as the New Year begins.

'We will work tirelessly in 2018 and beyond to stamp out this scourge.

'I want to be absolutely clear – if you use a knife the full force of the law will be brought down on you. You will be caught and prosecuted.'

News
UK Christian charities help raise over £10m for Myanmar earthquake survivors
UK Christian charities help raise over £10m for Myanmar earthquake survivors

A powerful wave of compassion from across the UK has helped raise more than £10m for the people of Myanmar, devastated by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit on 28th March 2025, claiming over 3,000 and leaving many more injured and displaced.

Church of England invests millions in parish renewal and mission expansion
Church of England invests millions in parish renewal and mission expansion

In a major funding boost aimed at revitalising local churches and expanding outreach efforts, the Church of England has announced a new wave of grants supporting parishes across both urban and rural communities. 

Lottery gives £1.69m grant to restore Pugin designs in Nottingham Cathedral
Lottery gives £1.69m grant to restore Pugin designs in Nottingham Cathedral

The grant is part of the cathedral's Restoring Pugin Project

Half of Gaza's Christians hiding in one church
Half of Gaza's Christians hiding in one church

Those who have survived consider themselves lucky