News: A very sobering thought. London's teenage homicides hit record high after two teens killed in single day.

The record was set some 10 years ago so its not that recent. There are many contributing factors - lack of child and youth services, poor housing, low educational attainment, low aspirations, racial disadvantage, gang culture, fewer police and other factors such as the pandemic and prevalence of social media may also be variables. so no one simple solution.

It’s devastating for the bereaved families and their communities.

Let’s hope that there aren’t any revenge attacks

Many years ago Glasgow was the U.K. capital of knife crime. Now it is a rarity. Whatever was done in Glasgow needs to be carried out in London. So many young (black) men are dying and it must stop.

When we lived in London the head teacher of the senior school organised a mix of staff and police to wait on the corners leading out of the school. The new head teacher was anti police and wouldn’t have any contact with them or allow the school liaison officer on to the site. Sadly youths from another school attacked and killed a young boy. Another young boy was chased and fell to his death down a lift shaft.

A teacher friend found one of his form was carrying a knife and the staff organised a search of lockers and bags. This was before rights took over from responsibilities. They were shocked by the number of weapons they found. The children said that they were scared of being attacked and wanted to defend themselves! Catch 22!

I believe Steven Lawrence’s parents have set up groups to try and tackle the problem but there isn’t an easy answer. There do seem to be a number of very angry people who constantly rile against Brexit, Boris, the world at large which is a very unhealthy environment for young minds to develop in. Most of us have experienced elections with the “wrong” result for us but used to suck it up and get on with life. Social media offers a safe way for people to vent their aggression and anger with no comeback.

If whatever Glasgow did worked then London needs to take advice from them.

I believe there was talk about the Glasgow solution being used in London . It involved a lot of cooperation between the police and social services ,there was a very good documentary about it a couple of years ago. All crime in Scotland is at a 40 year low ,of course we didn't cut our police personnel but have around 1000 more now than 8 years ago which helps .

It's heartbreaking those lost young lives.

During the London Olympics I met a lady who was working with me (I was a games maker she was employed) we were talking about the area's we live in
Her single mum about 4 children lives in London, me in Hampshire. She told me that she would love to move her family to somewhere like my area to keep her teenage sons out of trouble.

She went on to tell me about her eldest son, who "was a good boy" who was in Jail.
She went on to tell me he was innocent as he wasn't the one who had the Gun it was his mate!

I couldn't believe what she was saying? He was in a Taxi with his friend who was out to get someone.
She told me so matter of fact, how the police, rammed into her house to arrest him, the full facts as she saw it.

To say I was shocked at her telling me, I was speechless.
A Gun.. Not a knife...how on earth did they get it? A knife would have been bad, but a Gun!
No wonder he was in jail, but she was so matter of fact about the story.

Totally different world.

You have missed out the most obvious lack of all:prper parental control. The last student I supervised , ten years ago, told me about her previous teaching practice, when out of a class of 32 children (primary) only two were living with their birth parents.
The pupils lived in a children's home, in care, with foster parents, grandparents , older siblings, 'aunties', 'uncles' and other 'relatives,' step parents , single parents and two were being adopted.
The school was in Croydon.

proper parental control