Farron attends 'Gang culture' conference

3.00.00pm GMT Tue 6th Nov 2007

Local MP Tim Farron, who is a spokesman for the Liberal Democrats on Home Affairs, attended a packed conference organised by the Brathay Hall Trust on gang culture in the UK. The conference sought to assess what is and isn't working in the effort to curb violent crime in Britain.

Mr Farron, who addressed a meeting on gun crime and gang culture at the recent party conference in Brighton attended by Damilola Taylor's father Richard, heard presentations from a range of groups including LEAP, an organisation dedicated to helping young people to manage conflict peacefully. Tim also heard from a group of young people from Lambeth who work on the streets with gangs, seeking to prevent other young people getting dragged into a life of crime.

Tim Farron said:

"Gang culture in the UK is something that we must address as a matter of urgency. With the recent spate of tragic incidences around the country, it is vital that we work to come up with effective solutions. I chatted with young people at the Brathay conference who had seen friends shot dead and who are determined to rescue their communities from the evils of guncrime - they deserve our energetic support.

"I am really pleased to have seen the community based initiatives showcased at the Brathay conference, and it is this community approach which I am certain will prove to be the most effective in tackling this issue."