STUDENTS were given a timely lessons about the dangers of knife crime.

The Colchester United Community Trust took their United Against Knife Crime programme to Thomas Lord Audley School on Friday.

MEP Alex Mayer also attended and heard ideas from the youngsters about how to make streets safer.

The programme will head to 20 schools in Essex and reach 10,000 young people.

This edition came just days after a man was stabbed to death in Colchester and another was hospitalised with serious injuries.

Ms Mayer said: “Thank you to Thomas Lord Audley for inviting me to their enrichment day.

Essex is a safe county, which makes the recent events even more shocking.

"I know the police will be working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.

"But stamping out knife crime isn’t something that can be solved by policing alone, which is why these educational events by Colchester United Community Trust are so important to raise awareness of the consequences of carrying a knife.”

Thomas Lord Audley students took part in a timely lesson to say no to knife crime (last Friday 15 February)

Organised by the Colchester United Community Trust, and attended by Euro MP Alex Mayer, the event came days after a tragic stabbing resulted in the death of a Colchester man.

The pupils learnt about the dangers of carrying a knife and how to find help before telling their Euro MP their top ideas to make local streets safer.

United Against Knife Crime is midway through a programme using the power of The U's to say knife crime is wrong. They are delivering awareness raising workshops in 20 primary and secondary schools across Essex, talking to 10,000 young people in the county.

Alex Mayer MEP said: “Thank you to Thomas Lord Audley for inviting me to their enrichment day.

Essex is a safe county, which makes the recent events even more shocking. I know the police will be working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.

But stamping out knife crime isn’t something that can be solved by policing alone, which is why these educational events by Colchester United Community Trust are so important to raise awareness of the consequences of carrying a knife.”