Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2008 2:48 AM
A multi-million pound scheme to help communities turn young people away from gang culture will be unveiled today as the Labour Party conference concentrates on crime.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will pledge to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with those who have "turned the tragedy of violent crime into positive action".
Her speech comes the day after thousands took to the streets of London calling for an end to knife and gun crime - and another young person was stabbed to death in the capital.
The £3.8 million fund will allow community groups in 10 knife crime hotspots to apply for up to £10,000 to help pay for mentoring of young people and youth activities.
The second day of the Manchester gathering begins amid conflicting opinion poll news for under-fire Prime Minister Gordon Brown - who told delegates yesterday he was determined to continue.
One survey showed an encouraging nine-point cut in the Tory lead - mainly due to a Liberal Democrat surge but another suggested 60% of Labour members expected him to lead them to defeat.
Another analysis, of voting intentions in marginal seats carried out by the PoliticsHome.com website, concluded that the Conservatives were set for a massive landslide.
The Prime Minister, who yesterday took part in a question and answer session with delegates at the conference, today acknowledged that crimes of violence and theft can be expected to rise during the economic downturn.
"We know that, historically, in tough economic times, there has been a rise in crimes of violence and theft," he wrote, accepting the need to "step up our efforts".
"With tough policing, tough penalties and united communities, we can keep crime down, and make Britain a stronger, safer nation."
His comment echoed a leaked Home Office memo which caused controversy earlier this month by warning that the Government must be prepared for the possibility that tough economic circumstances could prompt a rise in crime, racial tension and terrorism.
Ms Smith will also outline plans for a £5 million pound fund to train ordinary members of the public on how they can work with neighbourhood police teams to combat crime.
Around 3,600 volunteer "community crime fighters", including members of neighbourhood watch teams, who will act as a link between police, local authorities and the public.
They will help to publicise the effects of community punishments so people know what has happened to criminals not sent to jail. And they will tell police about local crime priorities.
In his article, the PM wrote: "Violence and crime cannot be solved just by the police, the courts or the Government. It requires every person in every community to come together and work with the police to drive out crime and violence."
The areas involved in the schemes account for 70% of knife violence.
They are: London, Essex, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Merseyside, the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Nottinghamshire, South Wales and Thames Valley.
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