Neighbourhood Committee On Youth & Knife Crime

The BBC reports that three more local teenagers have been charged with the murder of 14-year-old Shaquille Smith, bringing the total to five. Perhaps it's a product of a general, uncomprehending disbelief at the sheer barbarity of this killing, but reading of this development momentarily tricked my mind into imagining Shaquille will come back as a result of it. If only. And if only we - all of us, parents, communities, professionals and politicians - were making a better job of preventing such unbearable events from occurring.

At least there seems some hope of a bit of momentum gathering. As someone who didn't vote for him, it feels strange to be welcoming Boris Johnson's contribution to this, but he has moved the issues of youth crime and disaffection up the political agenda and he has made commitments we can demand that he honours. And locally, this quarter's meeting of the North East Neighbourhood Forum - to be held on Wednesday evening - will be dedicated to the issue. Dave Rindl of the Clapton Pond Neighbourhood Action Group informs me that Councillors will be joined by a variety of youth organisations and service providers and representatives of the police. Young people are particularly welcome to attend to give their views on how to bring about change.

The Forum meeting will be held on Wednesday (10th September) at Ajex House Community Hall, East Bank, Stamford Hill N16, starting at 7.00 p.m. For more details, contact Cllr Kelly here.

Comments

[Glyn]

Any news on how it went?

[Dave Hill]

I'm writing a piece for Cif which I'd meant to complete and cross-post to here today, but got distracted. Should be done soon, though, Glyn.