Charles and Harry launch drive to curb gang culture and knife crime
VOCATIONAL TRAINING and after school activities could be the key to stop the cycle of knife crime and violence into which young people are drawn, Prince Charles has suggested.
He called for a renewed effort to “make a dent” in the scourge of such crimes, which, he said, were responsible for “appalling” human disasters.
Charles and the Duke of Sussex convened a summit at Clarence House and gathered experts, former gang members and bereaved families to discuss solutions.
He told the guests, including the actor Tom Hardy and England football manager Gareth Southgate, who were there as ambassadors for the Prince’s Trust: “There must be better ways if we’re going to prevent all these appalling disasters and tragedies happening to so many people’s families.
“This is a thing which seems unacceptable, frankly, we should say enough is enough, this time we are really going to make a dent in this.”
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Cressida Dick, has insisted the tide is turning against violence. But she has admitted it would take a long time to tackle the 180 violent gangs in London that are dragging children into crime.
The number of homicides in the capital so far this year has reached 125, the highest figure this decade.
Charles called for better vocational education to “help provide what is needed for all those people who don’t find a strictly academic course”.
He and Harry heard from Barry and Margaret Mizen, parents of the murdered teenager Jimmy Mizen, who have set up a charity in his memory.
Charles said one of the delegates had told him that 3pm to 6pm, when schools have closed, was a dangerous period for young people.
Mr Mizen said: “There are schools now where young people are hanging back at the end of the day, they are too frightened to go home and are waiting for the crowds to disperse – this is the reality.”