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Draconian? But we must do what we can to halt killings
• ROISIN Gadelrab’s article on the tragic deaths of Nassirudeen Osawe and Martin Dinnegan was informative but ignited confusion in my mind when I read the quote from Matt Foot, a duty solicitor at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court: “It’s a completely draconian way for the police to operate. It’s just going to cause bad feeling” (Police in
stop-and-search following Nass’s killing, January 11).
Definitions of the word draconian are “harsh” and “unusually severe or cruel”. During 2007, 27 teenagers were needlessly murdered on the streets of London. In my view this is a true definition of “unusually severe and cruel” for their relatives and friends to endure. I will not even pretend to understand what their families are going through and offer my empathy along with sincere hope that they are receiving adequate professional help to assist them through their own unique journey of grief.
It is time now to shout loudly: “No more!” As a community we should pull together and support whatever methods are required to ensure these brutal killings do not continue. This cannot be achieved as a solitary act but, taking action as a united team, change can take place. It will not happen overnight and will require not only financial investment but investment of our time in the younger generations.
When going through airport security I am not sure that anyone feels comfortable taking their shoes off, being submitted to a body search and having personal items emptied from their bag but if it helps to save lives that is all I need to remember. The UK terror alert status is “severe”. The crime alert status for London should be set to “critical” until a breakthrough can be achieved. As we witness the structure of the secure family support network fade, the lost and lonely need a place to go. Sadly, some turn to street crime, and the vulnerable will believe the false promises provided by drug dealers.
As most people are aware, the problem with youth crime needs to be tackled from many angles and by many angels. In the shape of authority and understanding, while always offering the hope that their life can be different, they all have choices. Children facing chaotic daily family life need to be provided with some structure.
This subject is linked to the valid points raised in Mary Coss’s letter (We can all do our bit, January 11). But I beg to differ with the view that “sports are not the answer”. Football academies, boxing clubs and martial arts lessons, to name just a few examples, have the potential to introduce discipline, friendship and an avenue to vent frustration/anger within a controlled environment.
Also, there is the opportunity to introduce many young people to a healthier lifestyle, as opposed to long hours playing computer games. Joining a sports club as a teenager may not result in a lifelong career but may help someone adopt skills that could serve to overcome a variety of hurdles throughout life.
It was good to see Father Jim Kennedy acting as a spokesperson on behalf of Nassirudeen Osawe. and if I may be so bold as to set down the gauntlet for the Dean of Islington, in conjunction with Bob Carr, teachers/ governors, members of Safer Neighbourhoods teams, representatives from businesses, local government, MPs, football/media celebrities, representatives from gangs and grieving families to start the campaign of:
Action (for)
No more
Gang crime
Evolving (in)
London
Fr Jim will be familiar with the teachings that dark forces/evil (depending on one’s beliefs) strike when we feel weak. The war between good and bad is constant but we can win one battle at a time if we stand united with a positive mindset to say: No more.
THERESA AVERY
Address supplied
• I am currently chairing the commission into young people’s involvement in gang and knife crime in Islington, set up by Islington Council following the sad death of Martin Dinnegan.
The recent killing of Nassirudeen Osawe has added an urgency to our deliberations, as he was the second young person to lose a life in our borough last year (and one of 27 across London). We are indebted to all the witnesses who have contributed to this process, including youth workers, the voluntary sector, and those at the grassroots dealing with these issues, including, importantly, young people themselves, from victims of crime to former gang members.
It is insulting to them, and to the independent members on the commission who are giving up their time, to write off the commission as your correspondent and Labour activist Claudia Webbe did (Cuts leave us all at risk, January 11).
She has not attended or contributed, and I hope her comments do not put people off participating.
May I encourage those who are interested in contributing to the debate in a constructive way to attend the remaining two sessions, at 7.30pm on January 22 at the Town Hall or at 7.30pm on February 11 at St Mary’s Youth Club.
Cllr GREG FOXSMITH
Lib Dem, Hillrise
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