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Athlete who used to 'deal drugs' tells how outdoor gym made from melted knives is offering young people a way out of crime

An international athlete who used to deal drugs in London has told how an outdoor gym made from seized and surrendered knives is offering young people a way out of gang culture.

Steel Warriors, in east London, is a free open-air gym made from two tonnes of surrendered and confiscated knives claimed by Met Police that launched last month.

The site, in Langdon Park, Poplar, features steel bars used for callisthenics – a form of exercise combining simple gymnastics and par cours free running.

Callisthenics athletes have praised the development, saying it will “keep kids off the streets”.

The gym is 57 per cent made from reclaimed knives (Steel Warriors)
The gym is 57 per cent made from reclaimed knives (Steel Warriors)

The charitable initiative aims to raise awareness of knife crime in London while highlighting the reasons why young people are carrying knives – “to protect themselves and to ‘gain respect’ within their peer groups”, according to the charity.

The new gym comes after crime figures released in October showed a 26 per cent increase in knife crime, with nearly half of the increase attributed to London.

Steel Warriors hope the gym, made from 57 per cent reclaimed knives, will offer young people a free and “safe” space to train, build more physical confidence and show strength in non-violent way.

It is located adjacent to Spotlight Youth Club, which offers a range of free programmes for young people and runs boxing and dancing strength training at the site.

The gym is located in Langdon Park, adjacent to youth club Spotlight (Steel Warriors)
The gym is located in Langdon Park, adjacent to youth club Spotlight (Steel Warriors)

Co-founder of Steel Warriors, Pia Fontes said: “We were told by police that an important part of where the gym should be located is that it needs to be a safe zone.

“Spotlight is a neutral zone – it’s incredible because kids come from all over to the youth club.”

She added: “It’s not going to completely stop knife crime but we hope it will make a difference in people’s lives.

“Even just having it there as a message that there is an alternative to gangs.

“Most of the people we have met in callisthenics came from areas impacted by crime and it has helped them.”