A COFFIN was carried through Ealing Broadway as part of a ghoulish procession to highlight the consequences of knife crime, writes Dan Hodges.

Police officers and ambulance workers were among those who joined the surprise parade last Saturday afternoon, which was put together to echo a TV,radio and online campaign run by the Metropolitan Police.

Borough Commander Sultan Taylor said: "The local community is vital in our goal to drive out knife crime and these events will help raise awareness and educate young people about the consequences of carrying a knife.

"This activity supports the ongoing operations and initiatives we undertake."

Around 1,900 knives have been taken off the capital's streets by police conducting stop and search activity and other operations since Operation Blunt 2 launched in May.

To see the online campaign visit www.droptheweapons.org .