11 April 2007
The ring-leaders of the type of gang violence which has left six teenagers dead in London in recent weeks need to be “taken out of circulation”, the PM has said.
Tougher laws and an intense police focus are necessary to deal with the problem, Mr Blair told a business audience in Wales, as is a “mobilisation” of the law-abiding black community.
There was no point pretending that it wasn’t black youngsters carrying out these horrific crimes, he told the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce.
“The black community - the vast majority of whom in these communities are decent, law-abiding people horrified at what is happening - need to be mobilised in denunciation of this gang culture that is killing innocent young black kids.Â
“But we won’t stop this by pretending it isn’t young black kids doing it.”
Despite the recent tragic events, violent crime has fallen by a third over the last 10 years according to the British Crime Survey, widely regarded as the most authoritative view of crime trends. Â
The picture on overall gun crime is improving with measures being taken against gun crime are taking effect.
And the most recent police figures show gun crime has reduced by 13.7 per cent in London, with violent crime down 5.2 per cent.
Mr Blair was speaking during a lecture where he focussed on the “renaissance” in Britain’s towns and cities.
He said the one aspect missing from the regeneration of town and cities was better behaviour from a minority who carry out crime or indulge in anti-social behaviour. Measures were needed to bring these people “back into the fold”, he added.
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