Thousands join 'Stop the knives, save lives' march on streets of London

The People's March peace march was the brainchild of two south London women sickened by the rising tide of deaths they saw on the news.

After setting up a group on social networking site Facebook, Sharon Singh and Gemma Olway, both 26, joined forces with the families of young people murdered on the UK streets and the Damilola Taylor Trust.

A protester pleads for peace in the wake of London's recent spate of stabbings

Victims of violent crime and their families united for the massive peace rally

Two simultaneous marches, from Kennington Park in south London and Caledonian Road in the north of the city, set off and met en route, to cheers and applause.

This afternoon the march will finish in Hyde Park, where Hyde Park video messages from Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Conservative leader David Cameron will be played, along with live music and guest speakers.

Gary Trowsdale, director of special projects at the Damilola Taylor Trust, said: "We think this could be the moment for change. We are looking to stem the tide because this is ordinary people coming together and saying this has to stop.

A young protester makes his voice heard

Richard Taylor, father of murdered schoolboy Damilola Taylor, joins the protest in London

Richard Taylor, whose son Damilola was stabbed in a stairwell at the age of 10, said: "We are sending a message to young people that they have not been forgotten and that we care but we are also not happy with them resolving minor disputes and fighting over issues and then using a knife."

He said that the problems stem from "young people being neglected, a lack of parental care and the direct influence of drugs. We also have a postcode problem which is leading to the gang culture".

Sally Knox, whose son Robert was stabbed to death in Sidcup, said: "This is just a massive chance for young people and families who are worried to step up and feel they are doing something.

"I just feel sick every time another stabbing happens knowing that the families have to go through what we have been through. I just don't want to keep reading it in the paper."

Her brother-in-law Kevin May said: "I'm saying to people, don't wait until you become a victim to get involved. Please do something now, you may think it's not your problem but so did we. It will come to you."