London has seen 100 homicides so far this year. The London Assembly Police and Crime Committee is currently investigating how we can reduce violence across capital.
The Mayor has announced a new Violence Reduction Unit echoing a strategy used in Glasgow which treats violent crime as a public health issue.
Steve O’Connell AM, Chairman of the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee said: “Whilst we welcome this initiative it has been a long time coming.
“As the Police and Crime Committee has been urging, the Mayor is now taking a more holistic approach to tackling violence; instead of just focusing on knife crime.
“We commend the Mayor for finally recognising that a broader approach which addresses the causes of violence is needed to halt the scourge of violent crime, in all its forms, that is blighting our city. Communities need to be involved for this type of approach to work and London is very complex.
“However, there is a worrying lack of detail as to how this Unit will operate across such a vast area as the whole of London. We will be keeping a close eye on whether this new plan has an impact on the ground and does not end up a missed opportunity.”
Notes to editors
- Steve O’Connell AM, Chairman of the Police and Crime Committee, is available for interview – see contact details below.
- The Police and Crime Committee has launched an urgent investigation into Violent Crime.
- London Assembly Police and Crime Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Howard Wheeler on 020 7983 57693. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.