More than 100 people marched through the streets of Bristol in memory of popular 17-year-old Shevon Wilson.

Family, friends and community members met yesterday to remember the teenager, who was stabbed in St George – and to send out a serious message about knife crime.

Friends wore "RIP Shev" T-shirts while some carried flowers as they observed a two-minute silence outside the World's End pub on Cloudshill Road, where Shevon was killed on September 12.

Then the marchers set off towards Castle Park, with Shevon's parents Carl Wilson and Julie Crocker holding hands as they walked in front.

Tears were shed and fond memories shared as the group made their way along Church Road, through Old Market and into the park.

As they approached their final destination, many sang along to You'll Never Walk Alone as it was played through a megaphone. Those touching words could also be seen on the T-shirts remembering their fallen friend.

After purple and blue balloons had been released into the air in Shevon's memory, his mum Julie said: "I'm just so proud and thankful to everyone who has supported us. They have been wonderful."

Shevon's uncle Guy Reid-Bailey, a senior project officer with Signpost & Rite Direkshon, which helps people with social and crime problems, wrote a poem called Weapons, which he read out.

"Lay down your knives, lay down your guns," he read. "This ain't no hunting ground, or season."

He added: "There are lots of young people who are very, very good and in this world today, when the minor people commit these atrocities, then obviously we have to stand and fight."

Jason Golding, 20, and Delroy McPherson, 22, proudly wore their T-shirts remembering Shevon.

Jason said: "I'd known Shev for years, ever since he was a little boy. We were all his friends but we classed ourselves as family."

Delroy carried a yellow rose in his honour. He said: "Shev was a good lad who would never hurt anyone."

The march was organised by Jenny Lee and Carmel Williams, from Speedwell.

Jenny said: "These events will hopefully raise awareness of anti-knife crime and see that it doesn't happen again."

She said she would like to see hubs set up for young people to re-engage them, adding: "What we need to know is what does the Government intend to do about the youth."

Statistics released earlier this week revealed more than one in three people caught with a gun or knife in the Avon and Somerset police area are let off with a caution, despite promises of firm action by the Government. That is the fourth highest level in England.

A statement from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) said: "Strict guidelines set by Government are in place around issuing cautions, and statistics can hide facts which are taken into account in each case. Each individual case is judged on its merits and we adhere to the Home Office guidelines when doing so."

In 2009 to date in the Bristol area, knife crime is down 13 per cent on the same period last year. The police are involved in several campaigns, including Operation Stay Safe, the Safer Schools Partnerships and Not in our Bristol to discourage the use of knives.

Sam Lengfeld, of Clovelly Road, has been charged with Shevon's murder.