Steel Warrior and Co-op fight knife crime with outdoor gyms.
The anti-knife organisation’s partnership with Co-op will culminate in 18 new gyms made from melted-down knives by 2022.
The Steel Warriors charity has launched their third outdoor gym at Ruskin Park in the south London borough of Lambeth from their partnership with the supermarket chain Co-op.
The charity, which started in 2017, aims to reduce knife crime by melting down seized and surrendered knives off the streets of London to build free outdoor gyms.
CEO of Co-op Steve Murrels commends the fellowship aspect fostered by these spaces, stating that “Community spaces have such an important role to play in fostering community spirit and the loss of youth centres and spaces has had a negative impact. This is something unique which makes a positive difference to communities.”
Steel Warrior’s collaboration with Co-op will enable their plan to build 18 new gyms by 2022.
The gyms are designed to share skills and improve physical and mental wellbeing within communities. The spaces are free and open to all levels, and mainly focusing on a fitness technique known as callisthenics, which is a variety of movements that target large muscle groups through exercises like pushing, bending, pulling and jumping.
An accountant and supporter of the partnership Elliott Street told Raven News: “I’m a regular because I’ve lost friends to knife crime and I’m into fitness, so this is a perfect, affordable way to strengthen my mind and soul.”
The Office for National Statistics revealed that police estimate a total of 47,513 offences involving a knife or sharp instruments in the year ending June 2019 in England Wales. This is an 8 per cent increase from the previous year and a 44 per cent increase since 2011.
Elliott Street said: “It’s also a great way to build new friendships, people come to the gyms from all different backgrounds and for many reasons. Some have carried knives themselves in the past and they are here striving for change.”
The co-op recently stopped selling single-pack knives in its stores and have opted to donate them to Steel Warriors.