'Protect Your Mate' defence seminars against street violence prove a hit with learners.

As street violence across London continues to grow, Waltham Forest College on Forest Road in Walthamstow hosted practical seminars to teach people how to protects themselves and friends from being drawn into vulnerable positions.

More than 4000 people participated in the week-long seminars arranged the college's safeguarding team and delivered by professional agencies and the in-house security team.

Seminars included ways to defuse confrontation, self-defence, basic first-aid and other awareness raising workshops to train learners to avoid being drawn into susceptible situations.

Students Union vice-president CiCi said: "The sessions were very engaging and it encouraged me to think about what active role I can play when my friends are making poor decisions."

The week of activities forms part of the overall awareness campaigns embedded into the College calendar to tackle topics on youth crime.

Principal Dr Joy Kettyle said: "College’s play a crucial role to support young people not just academically but through personal and social development.

"The College delivered seminars that challenges learners to think twice, allowing them to become self-assured, ambitious and motivated, enabling them to grow in confidence and make decisions that lead to positive outcomes.

"Ofsted described that our learners’ behaviour is exemplary during our last inspection and we want to drive this further and empower our learners to create better futures. There are so many positive role models here at Waltham Forest College and our role is to ensure our young people are prepared well for life in modern Britain and are making the best decisions for their future."