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Crime Solicitors

Islington Council commits £2m to tackling youth crime and gang violence (25 August 2016)

Date: 25/08/2016
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, Islington Council commits £2m to tackling youth crime and gang violence

Islington Council in north London has made a £2 million commitment to tackling the roots and consequences of serious youth violence in the borough – and has commissioned two charities to help prevent young people from becoming involved in gang violence.

The money will fund extra work directed at young people most at risk of becoming involved in gangs and criminality – as well as supporting those already entrenched in gangs in turning their back on crime and starting to build a better future for themselves.

The extra funding comprises £500,000 of investment every year for the next four years, to be spent on interventions with a strong track record of success.

Young people themselves will also be involved in identifying gaps and priorities in measures to help prevent involvement in gang crime and violent crime.

As part of the package, independent charity Chance UK will receive extra funding, allowing it to offer more specialist one-to-one interventions to youngsters of primary school age in Islington – mentoring those most at risk of school exclusion and falling into crime, or being recruited or exploited by gangs.

Islington Council’s Executive Member for children and young people, Councillor Joe Caluori, said:

“Gang crime and serious youth violence is not only very damaging for those involved, but also harms their families and our wider society.

“To stop this requires a two-pronged approach – these projects and independent experts will help us direct significant efforts at encouraging tomorrow’s gang members to take an alternative path and turn their backs on crime, while also helping those already mired in that harmful lifestyle to get out.”

The council says that, this year, the money will also fund Safer London to offer a similar approach for those aged 11-17, helping them develop self-confidence and improve their behaviour and skills, allowing them to turn their back on offending, successfully complete their education and get a job.

A two-year pilot project to support those at risk of sexual exploitation and harmful sexual behaviour – often associated with gangs – has also been commissioned.

In addition, the extra money means the St Giles Trust will be able to expand its work into Islington.

St Giles Trust’s SOS Project uses specially trained ex-offenders to inform young people about the impact gangs can have on their lives – as well as offering one-to-one support for those on the fringes of crime or already entrenched in gangs.

Some of the funding is being used to support the council’s Integrated Gangs Team (IGT), part of the borough’s response to the rise in youth crime, which brings together staff from the police, the council, probation, Job Centre Plus, the NHS and voluntary sector organisations.

The multi-agency approach has been seen to have a positive impact in other parts of the country.

Counselling will also be offered to young people both at risk of being recruited by gangs and those already in gangs, to overcome the trauma associated with violence – both as perpetrators and victims; while more young people will benefit from training and employment support.

The commissioning strategy for the following three years will be put before the Executive for approval in December.

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge involving gang crime or violent crime, including charges involving murder, assault, ABH/GBH, gun crime, knife crime, drugs offences, theft, extortion, money laundering, or sexual offences.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and in most major cities – with more than 20 offices across London and the southeast. A Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can usually reach a police station for interview under caution in less than an hour.

Duncan Lewis can also advise on youth crime and our lawyers regularly attend youth courts and YOIs to advise on criminal charges.

For expert legal advice on all criminal charges, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.


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