Andre Anderson, a self-published author, grew up on St Raphael's Estate in Neasden, an area of north London where he says rates of youth crime, including instances of knife and gang crime, are traditionally high.
"St Raphael's Estate has always been seen in a very negative light and this has not only affected the way outsiders see us, but how we view ourselves," he explains. "Teenagers on this estate feel there is no hope, resulting in a lot of youth crime."
After publishing five of his own books, including a novel about a superhero living in North West London, the 22-year-old saw how his talent opened up a range of opportunities and believed that young people living on St Raphael's Estate should be given the chance to do the same, rather than falling into a life of crime.
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