Knife crime and youth violence in London

October 29, 2019, Westminster parliament

The well-known, Professor Simon Harding of the University of West London, presented a brief about the youth violence and knife crime in London.

The age range for crime has tremendously become younger. From a young age of 11, boys and girls are exposed to the dangerous hustle. It begins with petty theft and ends with robberies and violent group attacks. Explicit pictures and videos in a variety of crimes are posted on social media and on shows such as Top Boy. Everyone can now see the risk that some take for so called street capital. This caries a value and reputation in the crime community. Youngsters from the age of 16 to 18 years-old become interested in money. The desire for quick money and status keeps on growing. They get lurked into the drug scene to become dealers.

Postcode war

Drug dealers try to expand their territory where they can sell their product. Now that dealers have become more mobile, the transactions can be made easily. Drugs are delivered just like food delivery service Uber Eats or Deliveroo. There are more than a thousand guys on moped bikes, armed with weapons.

Crossing each other's territory creates a postcode-beef. There is too much competition out there. This issue creates revenge attacks, some get beaten up, stabbed and even killed. Knife crime is the charge of many imprisonments. But even

from behind bars, respected dealers can still get their operation running. The well connected and powerful gangster always find a way to keep in touch with the outside world.

Problems beyond

The problem spreads out and effects outsiders. The gangs start pop-up brothel as a source for money laundry. The girls working in the club get violated in this process. The brothels are well located, close to the benefit of the seaside. Drugs arrives here and are spread over the premises and London. The rehabilitation centers are located outside London. This only shifts the problem elsewhere, but is it not the solution.

“Rehabilitation must not always be expensive. We must give young people more allowance, they are much smarter than we think. They are natural entrepreneurs. That’s why the UWL is opening the first National Center for Gang Research.” In house Professor Simon Harding will run the center.

Detective Sergeant Lopa Mcdermott, Kent Police agrees that taking them from London, away from their family and friends is not the best solution. They start rebuilding their status at the new location and get back to their old habits. It does not take long to build up their network and gain a new capital.

“Bring the service to the people instead of relocating them to the seaside” Detective Sergeant Lopa Mcdermott, Kent Police.

Rebuilding the community

Raheel Butt, founder of Community and Rehabilitation Solutions states that the situation out there is bad. “Crime has evolved over the years, the offenders are always seeking new ways to outsmart the police. Therefor practitioners need to stay up to date. I speak from experience. My previous situation gives me a better insight of how the crime groups operate. I want to break the cycle. The youth deserves a fair chance to survive and succeed. That is why the CRS provides a range of activities to encourage their growth. We offer sports, music, career building projects and more.”

What can a normal person do to help?

“An average person can simply contribute to the situation by giving back to the local community. Go to your local youth center and become a volunteer. Interact with young people and become a role model. If you are a social media influencer or celebrity, show them a better example.” London Councillor William Houngbo.

“We need to do a better primary research we have to talk to the young people in our communities. Ask them for the solution, we already know what the problem is. Therefor we need to come together and create the solution with the youth. We are working with them not against them.” Professor Simon Harding

Drop your weapon

For almost 5 years the call to action message Save a Life is being spread. The Surrender your knife initiative promotes knife owners to voluntarily drop their knife in the safety box. But does the project work?

“Yes says Lopa McDermott. We've been campaigning on placing more knife bins. People actually do bring in their guns, knives and other weapons. We ensure that the communication is open so that people will not be charged when they walk armed towards the deposit box. We want them to feel guaranteed that they won’t be charged for carrying a weapon”.

The 27-foot-tall Iron Angel, made from 100.000 confiscated knives from around the UK. The statue represents the victims of knife crime. The masterpiece is always relocated to numerous cities to raise awareness against knife crime. The knife angel will relocate from Derby to Chester. The angel will be placed in front of the Cathedral from the 31st October - 29th November.