Boris despair over knife deaths

BORIS JOHNSON admitted today he was "filled with despair" every time he heard about a fatal shooting or stabbing in London.

The Mayor told a forum on gangs and weapons in Wembley that "enough is enough" and it was time for the killings to stop. He is due to announce his much-heralded youth violence strategy next month to tackle the problem that has claimed the lives of 27 teenagers so far this year.

Mr Johnson revealed a key plank of the policy would be providing disadvantaged young people, many of whom have dropped out of school, with better education and skills.

He said only this could counter the "support and guidance" they were finding in the criminal gang culture which others got at home and school. It is thought the Mayor could devote funding to literacy classes, vocational skills training and apprenticeship schemes that would provide young people with mentors.

Mr Johnson, who met Home Office, Youth Justice Board and police officials at the forum, voiced his concern about vulnerable young people being lured into criminal gangs.

"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," he said. "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." He added: "There will be several themes within the strategy including employment skills and education, which are vital in providing young people with the opportunities needed to succeed in life."

Viv Ahmun, head of the Gangs, Guns and Weapons Practitioners forum, said: "Some young people growing up in deprived areas feel that they have no future. Many are angry and think nothing of hurting other people as they struggle to make sense of their lives."