Daily roundup 9 May: Gangs database, child slavery, and charity chief

The Information Commissioner's Office is investigating the Met Police's gangs database following accusations it is "not fit for purpose". The BBC reports that Amnesty International has claimed that the force's Gang Violence Matrix is "racially discriminatory" and breaches human rights law. The database, set up in the wake of the 2011 London riots, holds information on 3,800 persons of interest.


A Vietnamese victim of child slavery has launched legal proceedings against the government after he was sexually assaulted at Morton Hall immigration removal centre. The Guardian reports that the Home Office has admitted that the 19-year-old - known as H - was being detained illegally when he was attacked by another inmate, who attempted to rape him in his cell in 2016.


Children's mental health charity YoungMinds has announced the appointment of Emma Thomas as its new chief executive. Thomas will take up the role in July and will replace Sarah Brennan, who is stepping down after 11 years with the charity. Thomas is currently a consultant working within the charity sector supporting digital adoption and strategic development.


Construction of the new £6.5m Youth Zone in Croydon has begun. The state-of-the-art youth centre, which is being developed by charity OnSide, will boast an array of facilities and activities for young people aged eight to 19 - or up to 25 for those with additional needs - including sports in the four-court sports hall, 3G kick pitch, fitness suite and martial arts area as well as art, music, dance, drama, cookery, enterprise and employability opportunities and much more. Croydon Council is providing £3.25m towards the construction costs.