Youth violence in London is falling according to Metropolitan Police figures that show that the number of people affected by serious youth violence has dropped by 30 per cent. The BBC reports that there were 1,900 fewer victims of youth violence in 2012/13 than in 2011/12. The Met said the launch of the Trident Gang Crime Command, which uses a combination of enforcement and preventative approaches to tackle gang crime has had an impact.
Youth homelessness charity Depaul UK has published guidance on how to address poor health among homeless young people. The guidance, produced in partnership with AstraZeneca’s Youth Health Programme, is aimed at health and wellbeing boards and other providers and commissioners of services for homeless young people. It offers advice on how services can work together to improve the health of homeless young people. A study examining the health issues affecting homeless young people has also been published.
As many as 28 youth work jobs are at risk as part of plans to save £750,000 on youth services over two years. The Wolverhampton Express and Star reports that some youth clubs will close, while those remaining will be shut for an additional four weeks each year. The council said it will make more use of community groups, churches and other voluntary organisations to run services by offering grants worth a total of £40,000.
A charity has called for more proactive education about the realities of crime and justice, claiming it could significantly lower youth crime. Prison! Me! No Way! said that in the locations across England where education projects are operating youth crime has fallen by as much as 20 per cent. Paul Wilkinson, chief executive of the charity, said: "By employing innovative techniques and educating children about the realities of life in prison, we can have a very real impact on the way young people view crime.”
A programme offering young people apprenticeships in emerging technology companies has launched. Tech City Stars will offer digital apprenticeships to 125 youngsters from the London boroughs of Hackney, Islington and Tower Hamlets. The initiative is funded by the Mayor’s Fund for London.
And finally, young drinkers are most likely to choose heavily advertised brands and cheap, strong alcohol, a survey by Alcohol Concern has found. The poll found the most popular alcohol brands among young people included Fosters, Smirnoff vodka, Frosty Jack’s Cider, Glen's vodka and generic or own brand vodkas. Tom Smith, policy programme manager at Alcohol Concern, said: “Alcohol advertising is linked to consumption, particularly in those under 18 years old, and it’s time we introduced robust measures which protect this group from exposure to it.”
