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They signed a giant pledge wall which was erected outside St Andrew's Church in Church Street at the weekend. Members of the public have also signed up with promises of how they intend to help increase public safety and stamp out violent crime. Everybody signing the pledge wall has also received a T-shirt showing that they have pledged to help make Rugby a safer place to be.

The Summer Nights campaign, spearheaded by Rugby Borough Council, Warwickshire Police, the Church and the County Council, is also being supported by schools and colleges, bars and clubs in the town, specialist support agencies, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Midlands Ambulance Service and community groups.

In recent weeks community leaders and individuals have expressed their concerns about the level of violent crime in Rugby and the impact this has had on the community. This is despite figures showing there has been a 50 per cent reduction in violent crime in the borough this year compared to the same period last year.

The Summer Nights campaign aims to address issues including youth related violence, violence related to the night time economy such as bars and clubs and fast food outlets, alcohol-related violence, domestic abuse and knife crime.

Cllr Craig Humphrey , Leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: "Rugby Borough Council's top priority is to make sure that Rugby stays a safe and enjoyable town to live in and to visit, so I'm pleased that the Council is running this campaign with our partners. With the schools breaking up and the best of the summer yet to come, now is the ideal time to be running the Summer Nights campaign."

Chief Inspector Bob Musgrove, borough commander for Rugby Police explained, "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 it is important for us to address this issue and re-dress the balance.

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

Rev Mark Beach, Vicar of St Andrews Church, said: "We all need to take this issue very seriously. It is not just about young people, but affects all of the community.

"We can all pledge how we will conduct ourselves in public. This campaign is about how we related to each other, it's not just about whether you carry a knife or not, but how we all intend to make rugby a safer place to live."

The campaign wants to alter the perception that violence is increasing in Rugby while also focusing on the reduction of those violence related issues that do take place in the town.