Guns, Kids, and the Church!

Since the last edition of IMPACT terrible incidents of violent crime in London have continued, the majority relating to gun and knife crime by young people on young people. Living in the capital, for me this has felt very close to home at times. Only a few weeks ago there was a fatal knife attack just up the road form where I live.
I’ve been very interested to see what the responses have been to these events from local people, politicians, young people, and the Church. This week I was talking to a young mother who said that many mothers in her neighbourhood are scared to let their children play out with other children or even let their children walk round to a friend’s house because there had been a shooting in the area recently. This mother acknowledged that much of the fear that local people are experiencing is out of proportion and that people are generally living in fear of what could happen because of what they see and hear in the media.
Politicians were quick to respond when there were several tragic shootings in London. As the media made headline stories of the shooting epidemic the political machine sped into action. The Government reacted to all this by announcing a crackdown on gun crime by legislating for harsher punishments for those involved in violent gang culture. I’m not convinced this will act as a true deterrent, or that it is the best reaction to take, or even a solution.
Young peoples’ views on this differ according to whom you speak to, but it seems to me that very few people (whether that be parents, police, politicians, or the media) have actually taken the time to listen to what young people have to say. In particular I think we need to be getting some of these gangs into some kind of forum to ask them how to solve the problem – or perhaps that’s just pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking! What I am aware of is the negative reporting on young people and the few positive young role models. As I write, the news tells me that since Transport for London gave under 16’s free bus travel there has been an increase in crime on buses by that age group and one famous young American actress has been arrested for drug
possession – get my point?

Aidan Liriano
Jt CPF Co'Ordinator

CHURCHES TO TACKLE CAUSES OF GUN CRIME

Councillor Alan Craig, leader of the Christian Peoples Alliance group on Newham Council, has spoken out against the government, but in praise of churches, in looking for solutions to tackle the causes of gun crime and gang culture. Cllr Craig said that the authorities have run out of ideas and solutions. “While the government buries its collective head in the sand and claims the recent spate of teenage killings is nothing more than isolated incidents, it is time for the churches to step back into the public arena to promote their distinctive people-centred approach to young people.and youth issues,” argued Cllr Craig. “Many churches are already bursting with people and activities that offer proven solutions to these intractable problems.” In Cllr Craig’s local area he highlighted the work of a Christian football academy, Saturday supplementary schools, a Street Pastor scheme, a young leaders academy, and the Peace Alliance.Although he is part of the political establishment, Cllr Craig said that, “The police and local authorities can now be declared officially bankrupt of any meaningful solutions to youth violence in our capital. It is time for the churches to ignore the authorities, to step into the breach and to take a lead in serving the community in their distinctive way in order to combat gang culture.”