A series of posters highlighting the impact of knife crime will soon be appearing across London, after a campaign was developed by the Metropolitan Police cadets. 

The #ChooseALifeNotAKnife campaign aims to get thousands of young people to commit to not carrying a knife and to persuade their friends not to as well.

It was started by cadets "fed up" with seeing their peers die from knife injuries.

The Met's Youth Council came up with posters, which they hope to get displayed in schools, that combine a powerful image and a call to action whilst subtly illustrating the impact a stabbing can have well beyond the families of the victim and the perpetrator.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh of the Met’s Youth Council said: "This project came about as they like many Londoners have had enough of violence. They wanted to create some energy and through informed discussion discourage people from carrying knives.

"Speaking to their peers and former gang members they realised that if the message came from young people, rather than the police, they would be more likely to get heard and those who carry knives might listen and take notice."

The cadets designed and choreographed the photos themselves and the posters were unveiled at New Scotland Yard on Tuesday, May 24. 

The Choose a Life pledge is:

I will not carry a knife 

I will discourage my friends or family members from carrying a knife 

I will not get involved in knife crime 

I choose life.