A college has been praised by the deputy mayor of London for policing and crime for its response to the surge in knife crimes across the capital.

Sophie Linden urged other colleges and schools to follow the example of Waltham Forest College after it dedicated an entire month to raising awareness of gang and youth violence.

The college in Walthamstow’s Forest Road, which has 7,000 students, worked with a range of organisations to deliver seminars focusing on online safety, healthy relationships and consent.

In November, the Mayor launched the London Needs You Alive #LNYA campaign which includes a toolkit for education providers and community and faith groups to help them reduce knife crime.

Ms Linden said: “I commend the good work being undertaken by Waltham Forest College to support and safeguard its students against knife crime throughout the year.

“I urge other education providers to follow their example and approach to youth violence which includes the effective use of safety resources, engagement with the safer schools officers and the delivery of bespoke seminars to support and inform their students.

“Schools and colleges have a crucial role to play in the delivery of positive messages and safeguarding measures to our young people and their parents.”

Since the beginning of 2018, there has been at least 51 fatal stabbings in London and the Metropolitan Police has launched more than 80 murder investigations.

Amir Ahmed, director of the college, said staff are eager to share what they have learned from the London Needs You Alive campaign with partner organisations to reduce crime levels.

He added: “The London Needs You Alive campaign was welcomed by our students and played an important role in reaching out to young people to highlight the importance of their lives.

“Being formally recognised by the London Mayor’s Office for the College’s contribution to reduce youth violence reinforces our stance to student safety.”