Tonight:
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Security guards keep football players safe
Elizabeth Hopkirk, Evening Standard03.11.08
GANG wars have left young people in Hackney so frightened that a dozen security staff and six police officers were needed to patrol the final of a football tournament.
Some teams were driven to the venue by minibus so they did not have to walk through dangerous neighbourhoods.
Fears surrounding the Teenage Kicks football final underline an explosion in "postcode gang wars", according to organisers. Young people are targeted for crossing the road or getting on the wrong bus.
The annual tournament is run by Hackney charity SkyWay but this year numbers were down from about 400 to 330. SkyWay director Gail Mistlin said: "We decided to keep it safe and make sure the people playing enjoy it. We have a security firm and police, and a few teams have asked to be driven to the final."
Friday's final, at Britannia Leisure Centre in Shoreditch, was staffed by 13 security guards and six police officers. Ms Mistlin said: "Young people feel threatened or are threatened if they move into other people's territories. With this tournament these young people cross all those divides to play. The fact we are still able to do that when the culture is still quite scary at times in Hackney is testament to the young people."
Reader views (7)
Multi-culturism in action
- John, London
Dianne Abbot and Jacqui Smith are both MP's, and in case you all forgot, MP's DO NOT live in the same world we do. When they walk through Shoreditch / Hackney / Peckham, they do so with stab vests and bodyguards and then have the patronising cheek to tell people these areas are 'safe'. It's about time they started to live on the same planet as the rest of us - or give up their day jobs.
- Joannie, London, England
As a volunteer coach, who coaches in Hackney and been brought in Hackney.
I very disappointed that these so called gangs, have nothing to do and have to pick on footballers just because they don't live in their area.
These gangs must remember no one owns anything, they should pay taxes, then they might have some say!
Leave these kids alone, who want to make something out of their lives!
- Adrian, London
Says a woman from Wimbledon
- Lemongrass, Hackney
Invite the third world into the country and you get third world tribalism.
Has Labour learned nothing, it is time to play hard ball.
Vote right, vote right.
- Frank, Home Counties, England
Was the Home Secretary spectating at the game ? Shee enjoys safe walks through Hackney apparently.
- Peter Haldane, London
Didn't Dianne Abbot the Hackney MP say it was a safe place, what a joke.
Maybe if she spent less time getting her face on TV
and actually sorting out the problems in the area she
represents then maybe that would be a start.
- Claire, Wimbledon, England
