Empowerment - Poverty and deprivation at the root of crime involving weapons

The recently published report of the event, organised by The National Youth Agency, Association of Principal Youth and Community Officers and Speaking Out, proposes that multi-agency work involving both statutory and voluntary organisations is key to responding effectively and an appropriate mix of enforcement and prevention is required.

Approaches must involve young people and their communities in shaping and understanding problems and agendas for positive action, with more transparent and needs-led commissioning and sustainable long-term funding. Cross-government strategic planning to tackle social and economic disadvantage and more relevant employment opportunities for young people are also required.

The seminar felt media reporting is fuelling what is not a new phenomenon and factors of poverty, neglect, unemployment and deprivation, while feeding weapon violence, also feed wider anti-social behaviour and other criminal activities.