Smith explains later that the man was facing a murder charge a few years ago after an incident in a nightclub. "He was really hard back then," says the ex-Brixton gang-member-turned-youth worker. "But I've never given up on him. Now he's turned his back on crime; he has a full-time job and is about to start university. One of my success stories," he proclaims.
The 23-year-old knows from personal experience what it is like to turn things around. He was a member of the Somerleyton Crew from the age of 13, until he took part in Lambeth Council's innovative X-it project, which offers young people an alternative to gang life. He's now helping the council roll out 2 XL, a similar scheme to help young people leave gangs.
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