Islington Tribune
Publications by New Journal Enterprises
spacer
  Home Archive Competition Jobs Tickets Accommodation Dating Contact us
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer
Islington Tribune - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published: 11 January 2008
 
Cuts leave us all at risk

• THE failure of Islington Council to adopt a proactive approach to issue-based detached youth work and support to the voluntary youth sector will continue to leave our children vulnerable to the scourge of gun and knife violence.
More children and young people will sadly die and/or endure unnecessary violence. For years, Islington Council has adopted the Nimby (not in my backyard) approach, thus denying the extent, scale and nature of violent crime among young people on our streets and in our neighbourhoods.
While the vast majority of our young people are law abiding, too many are out late with nothing to do. Street-based detached youth work provides valuable advocacy and social education, encouraging participation and empowerment, while conversely the voluntary sector has historically provided the necessary safety net of provision to young people. The cuts in these services by Islington’s Lib Dems have left us all vulnerable.
Tackling gun, knife and violent crime among young people requires more than just the police; tackling the root causes requires the intervention of us all.
Islington’s independent commission on young people and safety is too little, too late and lacks independence and teeth. It further fails to engage those of us operating at the grassroots of our community and thus will amount to nothing more than a talking shop.
Fortunately, the Mayor of London has recently provided additional funding resources for work with young people. One can only hope that Islington’s Lib Dems spend this wisely.
CLAUDIA WEBBE
Vice-chairwoman, Operation Trident IAG

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, Islington Tribune, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@islingtontribune.co.uk. Deadline for letters is midday Wednesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld. Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment:


 

 
Your Comments :
 
 
 
spacer














spacer


Theatre Music
Arts & Events Attractions
spacer
 
 


  up