Message from the Mayor
Gang drama (Hackney Today 267, 31 October 2011)
C4 drama Top Boy has put the issue of gang crime in Hackney back into the headlines.
Some residents have already expressed concern that it might paint an excessively negative picture of the borough, potentially damaging businesses that rely on customers visiting from across London, such as the restaurants and theatres. Some also fear it may portray damaging racial stereotypes.
Whatever people think of the programme, it is important that residents feel confident that the Council and police are working together to tackle the issue of gang crime.
In Hackney, we know that this kind of organised crime is carried out by a tiny minority of people. However, the activities of these few people have a disproportionately high impact on the communities that live here.
Violent and drug-related gang crime has a high profile and makes people feel less safe in their neighbourhoods.
Our residents identify it as one of their top concerns. That is why we are determined to tackle this problem through every means at our disposal. We have been developing strategies for some years that look specifically at the way gangs operate in Hackney, and tackle those issues head-on.
These have come together in the Integrated Gangs Intervention Project (IGIP) which addresses every aspect of gang crime in Hackney; from co-funding police operations to supporting families and re-housing witnesses.
Gangs involve people of all ages but, in the long-term the only way to put a stop to gang crime is to effectively cut off the supply of young people who are vulnerable to being recruited into gangs by older members.
We need to ensure that all our young people have higher aspirations, and access to the support they need to reach their full potential. Education has a huge part to play in this, and the significant improvements in Hackney's school standards are transforming the life chances of Hackney children.
It's a real challenge in the current climate, but creating new jobs and apprenticeships, and making sure our young people have the skills they need to do them will also be vitally important.
In the meantime, our efforts to tackle gangs will continue to strike a balance between cracking down on hardened offenders, and supporting those who want to get away from the gang lifestyle.
We are committed to funding and supporting this work into the future, despite the financial challenges that all councils are facing.
Jules Pipe, elected Mayor of Hackney
Page updated: 4 Nov 2011
.