Victims' parents join City Hall summit to search for solution

Ray Lewis, deputy mayor for young people, set out plans to deal with the wave of youth violence which has claimed the lives of 15 young people in London so far this year.

The former prison governor said there was "no magic solution" but he would look at what was driving teenagers to violence in the first place. Mayor Boris Johnson has pledged to use "every strand" of his power to prevent knife and gun crime spiralling out of control.

Mr Lewis is looking at the root causes of youth violence in order to improve the situation long-term rather than focusing solely on getting weapons off the streets. Mr Lewis said the Mayor was intent on offering "outlets and guidance" - such as sports and after-school activities and mentoring - to help persuade teenagers away from a life of crime. "These horrific crimes devastate families and we need to all work together to treat the profound contempt for society and lack of selfrespect that has alarmingly developed in some of our young people," he said.

"The Mayor's office is committed to putting in place measures needed to restore young people's sense of hope and engagement." The Met has also deployed knife arches across 10 areas most affected by the problem and stepped up their use of stop and search in an effort to detect knives and deter young people from carrying them.

Mark Prince, a youth worker and former boxer whose son Kiyan, a budding footballer with Queens Park Rangers, died after he was knifed yards from school gates in 2006, was at the talks along with Tracey Smartt-Ford, whose son James was shot dead last year at Streatham ice rink.

They were among representatives from the groups Losing Our Sons Tragically, Through Unity and Mothers Against Murder and Aggression.

Mr Lewis said: "There is no magic solution to the terrifying spate of teenagers being murdered by knife and gun crime. But immediate measures that have to be enforced include using stop and search and prosecuting everyone found carrying knives. This is just part of an overall strategy but it sends out a clear signal that knife and gang crime will not be tolerated.

"It is also imperative that we look at why so many young men, and increasingly women, are growing up angry and disengaged from society."

Improving care for victims of crime is also a key issue. The police want to encourage more young people - victims and witnesses - to speak out. Victims can go on to be perpetrators and Victim Support does not currently cover anybody under the age of 17.

After the meeting, Mr Lewis said: "I think it's important that we adopt a range of measures. Whether or not it's money well spent only time will tell. I think one thing you have to accept is that people - the Government along with us - are trying to find solutions to this. It's very easy to stand on the side and be critical."