100 youths break away from gangs with the help of Jobcentre advisers

 
p18 Margaret and Barry Mizen parents of Jimmy Mizen who was stabbed to death at a Baker's in South London Pic: Alex Lentati
Alex Lentati
Rob Parsons4 January 2013

One hundred young Londoners have turned their backs on gang culture since specialist “gang advisers” were put in place at 19 Jobcentre Plus offices across the capital.

Under the government initiative launched six months ago in boroughs most affected by youth violence, the advisers have so far seen more than 250 young people who are either in gangs or at risk of being lured into gang culture, and helped 38 into jobs, 38 into training and 24 into education.

Successes include a 20-year-old man who was threatened by other gang members when he tried to leave the group but was able to start training and now works as a railway engineer.

Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said: “Gangs devastate some of the most deprived communities in Britain, leave a trail of wasted lives and bring violence, criminality and fear to our streets.

“Jobcentre advisers are doing invaluable work in helping these young people break with gang culture before it becomes a way of life. Having a job or training course is a lifeline out of gangland, setting them on course for a better future and restoring hope to their communities.”

Barry Mizen, whose son Jimmy, 16, was killed by another youth after a row in a south London baker’s shop in 2008, praised the scheme’s success but said more action was needed.

He said: “It is fantastic that there are 100 young people who have more of an opportunity to be part of society, but there really needs to be a lot more for it to be worthwhile.”

Mr Mizen, who visits schools with Jimmy’s mother Margaret to speak about youth violence, said: “Trying to get them into education is admirable, what we would like to see is a lot more take-up. The message is getting out but it could be more effective if it was delivered with people like ourselves, as part of a joined-up approach.”

The scheme, which sees the gang advisers visit youth centres and speak to young people from pupil referral centres, was launched as part of the Government’s response to the London riots of summer 2011.

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