A street artist whose work was gifted to Barack Obama by David Cameron has painted a mural in Shoreditch calling for an end to the capital’s knife crime epidemic.
Ben Eine daubed the words “Peace is Possible” on private members club Shoreditch House after more than 30 people were knifed to death on London’s streets this year.
The brightly coloured mural was the brainchild of world renowned artist Mr Eine, who is currently showcasing his work in Moscow, and global peace ambassador Prem Rawat.
The artist said: “The poignant words in Ebor Street, Shoreditch, are a reminder to both Londoners and visitors of the need to peacefully coexist in the capital.
“Violent crime has been at the forefront of UK and international media headlines in recent months as stabbings occur across the capital.”
The work, dubbed the Peace Wall, is part of Mr Rawat’s Peace Education Programme, aimed at helping communities affected by violent crime.
The 60-year-old said: “We need to address the fundamental causes of violence to stop these terrible tragedies happening again. The voice of boredom for young people has become overwhelming. We need to re-engage them in society.
“The Peace Education Programme has succeeded with some of the most violent prisoners and terrorists around the world. If the programme can help them, I believe peace education can help the young people of London.”
Mr Rawat will speak at an event aimed at addressing London’s knife crime epidemic at a conference alongside Pastor Lorraine Jones on June 10.
Ms Jones’ son Dwayne Simpson was stabbed and killed at a park in Brixton in 2014.
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His mother now runs Dwanynamics, with Richard Davies, an organisation aimed at teaching skills from boxing to business, to young people on Lambeth’s Angell Town Estate .
The Met Police have launched more than 70 murder investigations so far this year, many of them involving a knife.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said following the fatal stabbing of man in Kensington on Wednesday: “I was deeply saddened to learn of the fatal stabbing of a man in Kensington last night and my thoughts are with his friends and family.
“The police are doing everything in their power to bring those responsible to justice. If you carry a knife, be prepared to face the full force of the law.”