Tackling Crime Rise in London

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, held a summit to tackle the rise of violent crime in the city with London MPs, the Home Secretary and Council leaders at City Hall, yesterday morning.

There is an urgent need to stop the current spate of violence across London, especially among youngsters. Khan’s plan involves increasing the MET Police’s power and he wants to add more security in schools to avoid future knife crime. He also started the Young Londoners Found earlier this year.

However, Londoners are doubting the efficiency of his strategy and are trying to find more solutions.

“Just by throwing more police or security it doesn’t make the problem go away. It’s not only about the Mayor of London but it comes down to society as a whole, so I’m really not sure if he’s going to be able to tackle this issue,” said Graeme Howell, 53.

“A lot of this has to do with cuts in education and I think there’s a breakdown in general standard across society and the way we conduct ourselves,” he added.

After serving as a soldier and firefighter, Howell became a freelance trainer for charities and government agencies, gaining experience in safety and security.

Recently Howell joined Citizen Aid which is an App that helps people to understand what to do in a terror or attack situation. He contributes as an accredited instructor, training people around the informations on the app along with general safety and security advices.

“It’s actually very disturbing how much crime has increase in London and how often people underestimate the dangers of this city,” said Howell.

Raffaella Pontonutti, a 43-year-old lecturer at London Metropolitan University, has been living in London for the past 24 years and she said that as far as she can remember there has always been crime. However, she is aware that it is more likely for kids who come from troubled families to get involved with violence.

“They are lonely,” she said, “ and it’s important to make them feel like they belong somewhere, show them a little a love, at least that’s what I try to do as lecturer.”

Indeed Pontonutti noticed a change in many of those students who at first seemed more aggressive and reluctant. She said that once they understand that someone believes in them, they achieve great results.

Pontonutti thinks that Citizen Aid App is a great idea especially after the terroristic attacks from last year, which in her opinion are what diverted the attention from the young kids and knife crime.

“You can receive love, care and education from anyone around you and anything that gives an hand and makes you feel safe is good,” said Pontonutti.