Children choose to carry weapons

Former Olympic athlete John Regis is the uncle of Adam Regis, who was stabbed to death in Plaistow in March. Here he tells how the killing affected his family.

"The murder of my 15-year-old nephew Adam devastated our family. The pain his mother is going through is worse than anyone can imagine. She and Adam were very close and she is finding it very hard.

Young people need to understand what they are doing when they make these choices which have a profound effect on their lives, the lives of their victims and the families involved.

When I was growing up in Catford and Lewisham, I could have got in with the wrong crowd but I didn't. I made the right choice.

Unfortunately, many young people do not understand what they may be letting themselves in for. It needs to be taught to them.

Basically, it is about decisions. You make the decision to carry a knife or gun, whether it's due to peer pressure or seeing criminals flashing their wealth, or some misguided assumption you need a weapon for protection. Youngsters have to learn at primary school age, before they get into their teens, that this is not the choice they should be making.

The people who murdered Adam had made the wrong choices and knew exactly what they were doing. The chose to carry a knifem, they decided to chase Adam and theydecided to attack him.

His attackers are in hiding and I believe their relatives or friends know they were involved but they too have made a choice - not to come forward with information.

This week, I am going to Newham athletics track for a Met event to speak to young people. Sport is a great way of breaking down varriers. The majority of athletes I know grew up in similar circumstances and faced similar choices. There comes a time when you have to decide which way you are going to go. Are you going to hinder or help society? I chose the latter. It was the best decision of my life."

• Anyone with information should call police on 0208 345 3775.