Sadiq Khan said millions of pounds more were going into programs to take people away from violence. The Labor mayor has been criticized by some for his criminal record. Khan said more than half of London’s shootings and nearly a quarter of homicides are believed to be gang-related. Gang exit schemes are being boosted by £2m. The mayor said: “I am concerned about a possible rise in violence this summer as the cost of living crisis deepens and threatens to reverse the progress we have made in tackling violent crime. Violence, like poverty, is not inevitable and the Government must now do much more to show that it shares my commitment to building a fairer, safer London for all.” The mayor said he had pumped a total of more than £8m into a gang exit scheme which had helped hundreds of young people away from crime. The programme, led by the charity Safer London, has helped 430 young people, with 83% significantly reducing or giving up gang activity. Sherry Peck, who leads Safer London, said she believes poverty, alienation and trauma leave young people vulnerable to being groomed and recruited into violence. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “So much is being done to stop the increase in violence, but what we know is that social injustice and inequality are the drivers of increased violence,” he said. “It’s important to understand that many young Londoners are growing up in incredibly toxic environments, which makes them more vulnerable to violence and exploitation.” The fight to save vulnerable children can start with a youth worker meeting them in a place where they feel safe, such as the back of a bus or a park bench. Symone, an employee of Safe London, said: “It usually involves meeting in a coffee shop, a library or even a park or a bus, and to be honest it’s more effective than meeting in an office environment, which can feel too formal for them the children. and the young people. “Meeting them in places of their choice is an essential part of building that trust and ensuring they are involved in decision-making from the start.” Nationally there is concern about the rising cost of living leading to an increase in crime. In May, Andy Cook, the chief inspector of the police, warned of a rise in theft and other property crime as the economic crisis deepens. In an interview with the Guardian, Cook said: “The impact of poverty, and the impact of a lack of opportunity for people, does lead to an increase in crime. There are no two ways about it.” Privately, police chiefs are clear about the link between poverty and crime.
