Globe Academy pupils sign up NKR shops to CitySafe havens scheme

Working with Citizens UK's CitySafe campaign the year 9 students have produced an Oyster card wallet with a QR code that links to a CitySafe map of participating local businesses.

As part of the project the pupils have also persuaded Tesco Express and the BP service station in New Kent Road to become CitySafe havens.

The CitySafe initiative developed by London Citizens – a coalition of faith groups and community organisations – encourages businesses to offer their premises as places of safety for people in immediate danger.

Participating shops and public buildings display a window sticker and staff are trained to provide support when required.

CitySafe was inspired by the death of 16-year-old Jimmy Mizen, who was murdered in a bakery in Lee in 2008.

Rochelle from Year 9 said: "The Oyster card wallets will be a productive resource to help you find a safe haven if you go somewhere you haven't been before.

"I'll feel safer knowing where my local havens are. We really care about safety in our borough and I want to help keep everyone safe."

Students Sarah-Kemi, Dalal, Maya, Akosua, Clare-Anna and Rochelle received an award from Citizens UK at the CitySafe Roadshow last week.

The celebration event at the academy featured a moving introduction from Grace Idowu, mother of David Idowu who died after being stabbed in Tabard Gardens in 2008.

"CitySafe is a campaign that can save lives," said Grace Idowu.

She told an audience of pupils from Globe Academy, Notre Dame RC Girls' School and St Thomas the Apostle: "I don't want what happened to David to happen to you."

Artists Big Narstie, LDNC and Kwamz and Flava also performed at the event.

ARK Globe Academy principal Matt Jones said: "Our students did a fantastic job in convincing both locations to be our local safe havens. Helping to keep our students and our community safe is an essential part of the work we all do at Globe Academy.

"We're proud of our students and the leadership they have shown in helping make our streets safer in our local community."

• Tesco Metro stores at Elephant & Castle and Tooley Street joined the CitySafe havens scheme last year.

• The annual community event to mark the anniversary of the fatal attack on David Idowu will be held in Tabard Gardens on Saturday 12 July.