Southwark

Early intervention projects:

• SOS Gangs Project
• Get scene, get heard 06

Gang/gun prevention projects:

• Eternal Life Support Centre
• From Boyhood to Manhood Foundation (FBMF)
• Gangs Disruption project
• Kids Company
• Violent Crime project
• Wasted project

About Southwark

The London Borough of Southwark is an inner-London borough, centrally located on the south side of the Thames, directly opposite the Cities of London and Westminster.

Although the borough faces many challenges in common with other inner-London boroughs, there are major regeneration projects taking place in the boroughs and job prospects and quality of life have been steadily improving.

However, the problems of poverty and low income remain a problem for many people in the borough, and Southwark is the 12th most deprived borough in England and Wales. Unemployment, at 8 per cent, is very high.

Southwark has an estimated population of 267,600, which demonstrates a rich ethnic and cultural diversity - 38 per cent of the borough's population belong to a BME group. More than 100 languages are spoken in local schools and 43 per cent of pupils speak English as an additional language.

Between December 2004 and December 2005, overall crime in the borough fell by 2 per cent, compared to a London-wide reduction of 4 per cent.

Homicide incidents remained similar to 2004 levels, and whilst gun-enabled crime went down slightly, it was still high at 273 incidents in 2005.

Some of the key priorities outlined in the Southwark 2005-8 Crime and Drug Strategy include tackling drug and alcohol abuse, anti-social behaviour, violent crime, helping victims and witnesses and focusing on young people. Within these areas, there will be a particular focus on improving co-ordination of services across police, council and other agencies, working with prolific and priority offenders, and reducing gang related crime. Download the Southwark Crime and Drugs Strategy 2005-2008.