A ‘PEACE dance’ is planned in memory of a 22-year-old stabbing victim to warn about the dangers of street violence.

Blayne Ridgway died after being stabbed outside Que Pasa, in Oxford city centre in the early hours of Saturday, May 8.

Tributes to the father-of-one poured in and this week family and friends are organising an event in his name.

More than 3,700 people have joined the group ‘R.I.P Blayne Ridgway’ on social-networking site Facebook, where the dance idea was discussed.

It will take place at East Oxford Community Centre, in Princes Street, on Friday between 9pm and 12.30am.

Organiser Janet Barrett, Mr Ridgway’s aunt, said: “It’s basically for friends and anyone to come and celebrate his life.

“This is just one way to get people together and remember Blayne and get the message out that knife crime is just madness.

“We want to keep Oxford the way it was, before it gets out of hand. No-one should be carrying a knife.

“Blayne’s family just want peace.”

She added: “At the dance there will be reggae and anti-crime music, nothing that instigates crime.

“I think his partner Chrissie is getting his favourite song and we will also have a minute’s silence for Blayne.”

Money from the dance will go towards a trust fund for Miss Atkins and Mr Ridgway’s two-year-old son, Reko.

Mrs Barrett said no date had yet been set for the funeral, as the body was still with police.

She added: “His family are bearing up as you would expect. It’s all so sad.”

Det Insp Simon Morton said he had been working very closely with the family.

He said: “I’m attending the event to offer our support and reassurance that together with the Safer Community’s Partnership we will do what ever we can to reduce knife crime.

“Oxford is a safe place and Janet is right, we do not want it to get out of hand.

“We are planning a number of initiatives with the community to get the message across.

“This is not something that a poster, some adverts or well meaning campaign will solve: this needs all of us working together to change this culture.

“If some good can come from Blayne’s death it will be that this senseless waste of life doesn’t happen again.

“My heart goes out to the family and friends and hope the event is a success.”

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been remanded in custody charged with murdering Mr Ridgway.

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk