Tuesday 28th May 2019
Over 1,000 people came together at Crystal Palace Football Club to take part in Cut It Out – a fun, football tournament that united the community against knife crime.
The challenge was won by young people from the Premier League Kicks flagship community football programme, who welcomed the chance to pitch their skills on the premier club’s turf.
Cut It Out championed the goals of the council’s Choose Your Future campaign – to unite Croydon against serious youth violence and support young people to make positive choices.
The BME Forum led event was supported by Croydon Council, Croydon Police the Palace for Life Foundation and community groups.
Councillor Hamida Ali, cabinet member for safer Croydon and communities, said: “Councillors were keen to add their support to this event as it took a clear stand against knife crime, and encouraged everyone attending to meet people they may not have met before.
Whether this was through football, competitions, workshops, or the wide range of support services and clubs that attended.”
The young people’s team pitched their skills against Croydon Police, with other teams including All Inclusive Football Team, Croydon All Stars, Croydon Councillors, Croydon Female All Stars, City Hall staff, the Fathers Forum, Lions Society, London Road Businesses, Neighbourhood Safety Officers, and Selhurst Community Team.
