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| 'Poverty link' to youth violence - London mayor | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| New figures from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan show what he says is a clear link between poverty in the capital and the rise in serious youth violence. | New figures from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan show what he says is a clear link between poverty in the capital and the rise in serious youth violence. |
| The data shows that the poorest areas of London are most likely to experience the highest levels of serious crime among youngsters. | The data shows that the poorest areas of London are most likely to experience the highest levels of serious crime among youngsters. |
| The data comes amid fears that the end of the school year could see a rise in knife crime across major cities. | The data comes amid fears that the end of the school year could see a rise in knife crime across major cities. |
| Mr Khan says he's funding 43 summer projects for vulnerable youngsters. | Mr Khan says he's funding 43 summer projects for vulnerable youngsters. |
| He is also appealing to the government for more cash. | He is also appealing to the government for more cash. |
| London has experienced a rise in killings since 2012 - and 2018 was the worst year on record for the city for a decade. | London has experienced a rise in killings since 2012 - and 2018 was the worst year on record for the city for a decade. |
| London violence: Some key statistics | London violence: Some key statistics |
| The study for the mayor's office shows that the poorer an area of the city is, the higher the rates of youth violence are likely to be. | The study for the mayor's office shows that the poorer an area of the city is, the higher the rates of youth violence are likely to be. |
| Richmond upon Thames has the lowest level of youth violence in the capital - and it is also the least deprived borough in the city, based on official figures. | Richmond upon Thames has the lowest level of youth violence in the capital - and it is also the least deprived borough in the city, based on official figures. |
| Tower Hamlets in east London is one of the poorest areas in England - and the data shows it has now one of the highest rates of youth violence in the capital. | Tower Hamlets in east London is one of the poorest areas in England - and the data shows it has now one of the highest rates of youth violence in the capital. |
| Other official statistics, such as rates of adolescent mental health, teenage pregnancies and domestic abuse, also reveal a correlation between serious youth violence and the poorest areas of London. | Other official statistics, such as rates of adolescent mental health, teenage pregnancies and domestic abuse, also reveal a correlation between serious youth violence and the poorest areas of London. |
| Speaking to the BBC, Mr Khan said: "There are still some who say that to acknowledge this link between poverty, deprivation and crime is somehow to excuse criminality and to let the criminals off the hook. I say this is dangerous rubbish. | Speaking to the BBC, Mr Khan said: "There are still some who say that to acknowledge this link between poverty, deprivation and crime is somehow to excuse criminality and to let the criminals off the hook. I say this is dangerous rubbish. |
| "There's never any excuse for criminality. But we have to face the reality that for some young people growing up today, violence has become normalised. | "There's never any excuse for criminality. But we have to face the reality that for some young people growing up today, violence has become normalised. |
| "And - with hope at rock bottom... turning to crime and gangs has become an all too easy route to satisfy the lure of gaining respect and money - however misguided this is." | "And - with hope at rock bottom... turning to crime and gangs has become an all too easy route to satisfy the lure of gaining respect and money - however misguided this is." |
| With schools breaking up for the summer holidays, Mr Khan said he was putting £360,000 into 43 projects intended to work with 3,500 young people who are at risk of getting involved in crime. | With schools breaking up for the summer holidays, Mr Khan said he was putting £360,000 into 43 projects intended to work with 3,500 young people who are at risk of getting involved in crime. |
| Half of the summer projects are in neighbourhoods which are in the top 10% for rates of serious youth violence. | Half of the summer projects are in neighbourhoods which are in the top 10% for rates of serious youth violence. |
| "It's time for the government to acknowledge that this is a national problem that requires an urgent national solution. No more scratching around the edges. We need a proper national strategy," said Mr Khan. | "It's time for the government to acknowledge that this is a national problem that requires an urgent national solution. No more scratching around the edges. We need a proper national strategy," said Mr Khan. |
| The government confirmed at the weekend it wants to create a new "public health duty" to legally compel schools and other bodies to spot and act on the signs of serious violence. | The government confirmed at the weekend it wants to create a new "public health duty" to legally compel schools and other bodies to spot and act on the signs of serious violence. |
| Prime Minister Theresa May, who has pledged £100m for police in the worst-hit areas, is meeting youngsters on Monday to hear about their experiences of serious violence. | Prime Minister Theresa May, who has pledged £100m for police in the worst-hit areas, is meeting youngsters on Monday to hear about their experiences of serious violence. |