Rugby Police launched their summer nights campaign this week which will use different initiatives to promote anti-violence.

These include knife bins and a town centre pledge wall which people are being encouraged to sign and pledge to act responsibly.

But just as the campaign got under way a Rugby man was stabbed in the stomach at a house in Grosvenor Road on Saturday.

The 29-year-old victim was taken to hospital where his condition was described as stable . On Monday, Janos Vamosi, 55, of Grosvenor Road appeared in court charged with unlawful and malicious wounding. He was remanded in custody.

On Friday a Princethorpe jeweller was held at knifepoint by a masked gang before being driven to his store in Birmingham and forced to hand over a £1,800 gold chain.

Incredibly, the gang even stopped to let him stretch his legs as he was suffering from cramp.

The man was ambushed outside his home and forced to drive to his shop in the Sparkbrook Area of the city before the gang stole his chain, the keys to a shop safe and his mobile phone and credit cards.

Bob Musgrove, borough commander for Rugby Police, said: "Rugby is not a dangerous place to live, and levels of serious violent crime are reducing steadily.

"Unfortunately, as a result of the death of Kevin Wright in May the perception is that Rugby has a violent under-current and is important for us to address this issue and re-dress the balance.

"The summer nights campaign involves all partners and volunteer organisations, who are working together to promote personal safety and reduce the risk of violent crime occurring."

Detective Chief Inspector Adrian Pearson said: "The catalyst for the operation was the Rev. Mark Beach's speech at Kevin Wright's funeral.
"His emotive language enforced how hard-hitting and far reaching the effects of knife crime can be.

"If the campaign is successful we will look at using the initiatives more regularly."

The knife bins will be set up at St. Andrew's Church tomorrow (Friday) as will the pledge wall which people will get a free t-shirt when they sign it.

As part of the campaign youngsters at Harris School were visited by Martial Arts Trainer Eddy Quinn (pictured) and there will also be enforced policing in Rugby town centre tomorrow night (Friday).