An anti-knife crime campaigner said he was “surprised” by how in-tune primary school children were with stabbings in their areas.

Anti-Knife UK’s Danny O’Brien, from Seven Kings, gave talks to about 60 Year 6 pupils at Glade Primary School, Atherton Road, Clayhall, as part of a project aiming to reach youngsters before they head off to secondary school.

The not-for-profit group’s founder held interactive sessions, with the help of Howard Gould from Leyton Orient Trust, and spoke to them about the dangers of carrying knives.

“I know they’re young but it’s the right time to get to them, before high school – that’s where they’re at risk of being introduced to knives,” he said.

“We try to do it without scaring them.”

He added: “The sessions went down really well and they were really up for it – they were really clued up to the dangers of knife crime.”

Danny said some of the youngsters knew people that had been stabbed or even carried a knife.

“It’s scary – to think that there are 10 and 11-years-old that are prepared to carry a knife for their protection.

“A knife is more likely to be used on the carrier.”

The campaigner, who has received funding from police to carry out more workshops, is calling on Redbridge schools to get in touch with him about running sessions.

Anyone interested can call 074 2726 1818 or email danny@antiknifeuk.org