MET MUST WORK WITH OTHERS TO END TEENAGE MURDERS - TOPE

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 28th Jun 2007

Responding to the Met's announcement that hit squads will soon be in place to tackle violent teenage gangs in every London borough, Graham Tope, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Policing on the London Assembly said:

"Since January, 15 young people have either been shot or stabbed to death in London in callous and evil attacks. At times it feels as if we can no longer say that these events are rare.

"I welcome the Met's efforts to fight back against violent gangs but if long term results are expected, the police will have to work with many other organisations who have an effect on the lives of young people. Education, housing, health and employment all have critical roles to play in ending the threat of violence and sense of fear that affects millions of Londoners.

"Young people must also be involved in this process to make sure the authorities get it right for the long term."