Turning Point comment on Youth Crime Action Plan

Commenting in advance of the Government's Youth Crime Action Plan, Turning Point's Chief Executive Lord Victor Adebowale says:

"As Chair of the London Youth Crime Prevention Board, I know that we need a stronger safety net of prevention for our young people. We need initiatives like making schools safer, whilst also providing better support for victims of crime and their families. Treatment and support services need to be integrated with the criminal justice system now, so that our young people don't fall between the gaps. Without this joined-up approach, young people are more likely to get dragged into crime."

"My hope is the Youth Action Plan will address both the causes and symptoms of the problem. While offenders need to be dealt with appropriately, the real solution is to target the prevailing culture whereby children and young people feel the need to carry knifes. We need the right support for our children in the right place at the right time."

For more information please contact:
Steve Palmer
Turning Point Press Officer
020 7481 7630
Out of hours 07786 938 601
www.turning-point.co.uk

Notes to editors:

1. Turning Point is the UK's leading social care organisation: Turning Point provides services for people with complex needs, including those affected by drug and alcohol misuse, mental health problems or those with a learning disability. Turning Point provides services in over 250 locations and has contact with over 100,000 people every year.
2. Lord Victor Adebowale is chair of the London Youth Crime Prevention Board. The LYCPB is a broad coalition of senior figures from the Met Police, Directors of Childrens' Services, London Councils, London Criminal Justice Board, the Youth Justice Board, the GLA, and the Voluntary Community Sector. Secretariat, London Youth Crime Prevention Board, Government Office for London, 10th Floor, Riverwalk House, 157-161 Millbank, London SW1P 4RR. Michael Mensah Tel: 0207 217 3584 and Michael Duggan michael.duggan@gol.gsi.gov.uk. 020 7217 3138.

Monday 14th July 2008