Mayor Boris Johnson today called for smarter solutions to gang violence and urged key anti crime organisations to help him tackle gang related youth crime in London. The Mayor spoke at the Gangs Guns and Weapons Practitioners Forum annual seminar, where he met with a range of representatives including the Home Office, Youth Justice Board and Metropolitan Police, ex-offenders, young people and youth workers to discuss solutions to violent crime. The Mayor voiced concern about vulnerable young people being lured into criminal gangs and promised hard hitting new plans to tackle crime would be announced shortly in his Youth Violence Strategy. Mayor Boris Johnson said, “I am filled with despair every time I read about another fatal stabbing or shooting. It is a tragedy that 27 teenagers have become victims of knife and gun crime this year. Enough is enough - I am adamant that this violence must stop. “Years of neglect has led to some disaffected young people looking to criminal gangs for the support and guidance they would normally find at home and at school. We need to use every resource available to reach out to these troubled teenagers. Every young person carrying weapons needs to be clear about the potentially horrific consequences of their actions. Equally every vulnerable teenager needs opportunities and support to turn their backs on criminal gangs.

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16 October 2008
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