Community Lines is a community-driven campaign created as part of a university project to raise awareness of county lines and knife crime in Waltham Forest, London. The campaign highlights the diverse backgrounds of those vulnerable to exploitation, while also addressing the wider impact on the community.
The campaign coincided with the tragic deaths of two young boys in Waltham Forest: Chima Osuji (17) and Renell Charles (16). These incidents underline the urgency of tackling county lines and knife crime, and the importance of building stronger community awareness.
This project was shortlisted for a 2023 Creative Conscience Award.
Waltham Forest, on the edge of East and North-East London, has become a focal point for county lines activity due to its transport links and existing gang networks. The campaign draws on real case studies from victims, perpetrators, and families, showing how “lines” symbolically cut through the community.
I designed and photographed a range of campaign touch-points across the borough, placing the message directly into the spaces where people live and work. The aim was to spark local conversations and make the issue visible within the community.
A scannable QR code featured on the posters connected the campaign to a digital leaflet, extending its reach beyond print and engaging the community directly.
The leaflet provided resources on county lines, including warning signs, personal stories, the wider impact, and guidance on where to seek help.
