Boris Johnson unveils plan to tackle youth violence

BORIS Johnson today unveiled a massive overhaul of his youth violence strategy to tackle the root causes of teenage criminality which has claimed the lives of 27 teenagers so far this year.

The Mayor's radical plan pledges to give more support to first-time offenders, fine parents of regular truants and set up scholarships for disadvantaged children. It will bring together government, councils, charities and other agencies and pour hundreds of millions of pounds into the problem in the capital.

Launching the strategy in Edmonton, Mr Johnson said: "Tackling serious youth crime and the tragic murders of young people has been my most immediate priority since becoming Mayor.

"My action plan will provide the London-wide leadership and coordination that has so far been abse nt in tackling youth crime.There are no magic answers to these deep-rooted problems. However, I hope this will be the first step to achieving the fundamental long-term change that is profoundly needed."

His deputy mayor for policing, Kit Malthouse, said: "This is not only a crime prevention tool it is aimed at providing young people with the education, skills training and self respect to prosper and achieve great things in life."

The long-term approach will complement a series of measures to increase visible policing including a major anti-knife crime strategy, Operation Blunt, and an increase in stop-and-search which is already in place.

Almost one in four Londoners is under 19-years-old and while the vast majority are law-abiding, a tiny minority cause trouble that affects communities across the city. Mr Johnson launched his five-point plan Time for Action alongside Mr Malthouse, deputy Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson and London Council's member for children and young people, James Kempton.

The Mayor also wants to establish a central "library" of information and a project auditing service Project Oracle so groups can focus their work on activities that deliver results. However, he admitted there was a "gaping hole" in the strategy when it came to providing support for parents and pre-school children and has promised to come up with proposals.