Reducing Gun Crime in London

Choice FM's anti-gun campaign in February was so successful the radio station has decided to run a monthly two-hour slot until April 2004. The programme includes feedback to the community of successful convictions and interviews with residents that have been affected by gun crime.

Growing concern over the rise of gun crime inspired Choice FM to run their Peace on the Streets anti-gun campaign. Three days of interviews with family and friends of gun victims were broadcast, highlighting the reality of gun crime. Hackney MP Dianne Abbot, Metropolitan Police Commander Alan Brown and Home Secretary David Blunkett all lent their on-air support.

Performance artists such as Iceberg Slim, Warrior King, Heartless Crew, Beverly Knight and Casualty actor Kwame Kwei-Amah also offered their views on tackling gun crime. Ellie Roy, Government Office for London’s Head of Crime Reduction, gave the station advice and the weekend event also received support from GOL funding. The event was so successful Choice FM decided to run a monthly two-hour slot until April next year focusing on gun crime. It aims to get the community involved in providing information to the authorities and also reports on positive activities within the community.

Another good example of how community involvement can reduce gun crime is Haringey’s annual Peace Week. This helps to mobilise local people, giving them a chance to have their say and to establish a good rapport with the local police. This encourages people to pass on information that could lead to successful prosecutions. Government Office for London supported last September’s Peace Week and the Haringey Peace Alliance, led by Reverend Nims Obunge, is now a well-established campaigning group.

More Information

For more information please see the crime reduction pages on this website or contact Tony Watson at twatson.gol@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk

photos kindly supplied by Haringey Peace