A free school to help vulnerable young gang members escape a life of violence would be set up under plans announced by Zac Goldsmith today.
The Tory mayoral hopeful, pictured, would build on the work of London football clubs such as QPR to provide educational support for children at risk of falling prey to gangs.
His aides said he believed that young gang members should be treated as children first, and as offenders second.
He would lobby ministers for more control over London’s share of the £229 million youth justice budget and focus on working with community organisations to create the school. Unlike council-run pupil referral units, it would offer longer opening hours, specialist support and a more tailored curriculum, as well as the option of boarding. One in five children in gangs have special educational needs, while almost two thirds of female gang members have been in care, official figures show.
Around 200 gangs are known to be operating in London, with 3,800 gang members. They are responsible for 20 per cent of violent crime in the capital and 40 per cent of shootings.
Mr Goldsmith also announced plans to fit gang leaders with GPS tags so police can monitor if they go near victims or each other.
He also called for a “two strikes and you’re out” rule to ensure future crimes by leaders would lead straight back to prison. He said: “London’s gangs blight far too many lives, both of their victims and the young children they suck in.”
Mr Goldsmith is working with ministers to strengthen age verification rules to stop the sale of knives to children.
