A live online event is set to debate the issue of knife crime in Preston.

The discussion has been organised following the recent tragic deaths of Adam Le Roi in Fishwick and Sarmad Al-Saidi in Deepdale.

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In November, more than 350 knives were taken off Lancashire’s streets in a week of intense action on knife crime.

Guest speakers will include Preston MP Sir Mark Hendrick and Byron Highton from local anti-knife crime community organisation The JJ Effect.

They will be joined by Fayyaz Ahmed from Fishwick Rangers Youth and Community Development, interfaith adviser to the Bishop of Blackburn Andy Pratt, Imam and Humanitarian Moulana Amjad Bapu, Preston City Council Councillor Jonathan Grisdale, and Lancashire Police’s Superintendent Jameel Murtza and Chief Inspector Chris Barton.

Read more: Free eight-week programme to give Preston’s youngsters an alternative to street life

A spokesperson for the event organisers, Light Foundation, said: “The increase in knife crime, and the two most recent murders of Adam Le Roi and Sarmad Al-Saidi in the space of two months, has been shocking and frightening for those who have children and young adults.

“We have spoken to people in our community, from all backgrounds, who are seriously thinking of moving areas, which is sad.

“The purpose of this event is to raise awareness on this very important subject, with the overall aim of working alongside key partners, to ensure that we build on more positive alternatives for our youth.”

The event, titled Is Knife Crime a Problem in Preston, will take place on Thursday 21 January at 7.30pm on the Light Foundation Facebook page.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines

Will you be joining the event? Let us know in the comments.