Fab four get a funding boost
Sunday, 11 May 2008 09:02
London Councils, which represents and promotes the interests of authorities in the capital, will provide the money over the next four years.
It comes against a background of gun or knife crimes accounting for the murders of 26 young people in London last year, and 17 in 2006. Nine young people have been killed so far this year.
The Comedy School, which works in Newham and Tower Hamlets, will receive £117,800 to expand the 'It's No Joke' project.
It aims to raise the awareness of the consequences of knife crime among 11 to 14 year olds.
The London Action Trust will be awarded £221,349 to train young people to mediate in disputes in areas most affected by gun and knife crime to help resolve them peacefully. The organisation works in a number of London boroughs including Newham.
The Prince's Trust, which works in Tower Hamlets among other places, will get £135,748 to run anti knife, guns and gangs workshops to help those aged 16 to 24 at risk of falling into violent crime.
Fairbridge holds special courses for youngsters to discuss such issues and develops action plans to divert them away from that path. It works in Tower Hamlets and will receive £224,942.
Councillor Paul McCannah, chairman of London Councils' Grants Committee, said: "London's boroughs want to help young people enjoy their childhood and not feel that the only way they can be fulfilled is to join a gang and be involved in crime.
"The projects we have commissioned are also aimed at helping to break the myth that crime is a glamorous lifestyle."
He added: "If we can achieve this, not only will it help reduce the numbers of youth related deaths and crimes, but also help our young people build better futures for themselves.
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