UK Prime Minister Promises Action On Gang Culture

Prime Minister promises action on gang culture

Gordon Brown has promised that the Government will carry out "intensive work" to deal with the growing problem of teenage crime and gang culture.

Speaking to reporters in Downing Street, Mr Brown said that tougher enforcement of existing laws and the passing of new laws, if required, were high on the Government's agenda following a spate of recent stabbings and shootings involving young people.

This morning the PM hosted a seminar on youth crime with Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and representatives from the police, government and voluntary agencies. Authorities plan to target 10 areas around the country with measures including an alcohol crackdown and early intervention to deter young people from "gangs and guns and knife crime", he said.

"Since Jacqui Smith and I took over the responsibilities that we have, we have been working urgently to examine what more we can do to heal the problems of guns, of knives, of gangs in our country, and more generally the problem of youth disorder.

"Where there is a need for new laws, we will pass them, where there is a need for tougher enforcement we will make sure that that happens."

Referring to the murder of Rhys Jones in Liverpool last night, the PM said the "heinous crime" had "shocked the whole nation" and that those responsible would be "tracked down, arrested and punished". The 11-year-old was shot while playing in a pub car park in the Croxteth area of the city.

ENDS

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