Chuka Umunna MP

Last week, Chuka led a debate in the House of Commons on youth crime in London, which he applied to hold following the murder of his 15 year old constituent Zac Olumegbon who was killed in July.

In the debate, alarm was expressed at the number of teenage deaths and victims of gun and knife crime in London this year.

Shortly before the debate, Mr Umunna met with members of Lambeth’s Youth Council in Parliament including Lambeth’s Youth Mayor to discuss how youth violence can be reduced in London.

To read a transcript of the debate, including Chuka’s speech and the government’s response from Home Office minister James Brokenshire MP, please follow this link, or alternatively watch it here (begins at 7h 26m 16s in)

Chuka Umunna, Member of Parliament for Streatham, led a debate in the House of Commons yesterday evening in the wake of 15 teenage deaths and 1375 teenage gun and knife crime victims in the Capital this year.

 According to the latest statistics provided to Mr Umunna’s office by the Metropolitan Police, in this calendar year to date there have been:

• 15 teenage homicide victims;
• 1230 knife crime victims (non-fatal); and,
• 145 gun crime victims (non-fatal),

in Greater London.

Mr Umunna applied to hold the debate following the murder of his 15 year old constituent, Zac Olumegbon – who was killed in a planned attack in July close to his school in West Norwood. Violent incidents between young Londoners have been ongoing during the summer parliamentary recess.

 Speaking in the debate, Mr Umunna said:

 “We have a problem in London and have had for years. We know it, and our young people certainly know it, because too many of them are living with the fear that it will affect them right now.”

 “In fact, only last Friday in the Tulse Hill part of my constituency, one teenager was shot in the face by a gunman on a bike while trying to get on a bus.

 “Yes, many of the teenagers affected are involved in gangs, but just because much of what happens is gang-related does not mean that we can wash our hands of it. It is our problem. These are our young people, and this violence is a scar on our community, whatever our background and circumstances.”

Amongst the solutions to the violence Mr Umunna pointed to the need for more things for young people to do, more training and employment opportunities, better family support, greater police numbers and appropriate sanctions.  However Mr Umunna raised serious concerns about future government assistance in the context of severe public spending cuts:

“I have several deep concerns, which I hope the Minister will address, about the Government’s future role.

“It is crucial that we have the monies so that we can channel the energy of our youth in a positive direction, away from the activities that lead to violence and, tragically, sometimes to the loss of young lives.

“If we invest in prevention—in occupying our young people with decent things to do that can expand their horizons and increase their opportunities—it reduces the chances of them entering the criminal justice system. We know how much it costs to put a young person through that system. In the long term, therefore, it would actually cost us more as a community not to spend money addressing this issue than it would to invest the money now.

“It is worth emphasising again that the people working in this arena are saving lives. We cannot put a price on reducing youth violence on London’s streets. We have to do everything that we can to reduce that.”

Responding for the government, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Crime Reduction, James Brokenshire MP, failed to give any commitments in relation to future funding of youth provision or the police in London, which Mr Umunna raised in his speech.  Mr Brokenshire said:

“There are real challenges here, in terms of the existing financial situation and the funding issues, and obviously the Government’s priority is to ensure that the economy is put on a strong footing. We will, therefore, be looking very closely at these decisions. However, given that the comprehensive spending review has not yet concluded—we will be announcing the details on 20 October—it is not appropriate or helpful for me to speculate.”

Both Mr Umunna and Mr Brokenshire paid tribute to the Metropolitan Police during the debate.  Mr Brokenshire said:

I also want to pay tribute to the work of the Metropolitan Police Service in tackling youth violence in London. Just one example of that is Operation Blunt 2. For more than two years, this dedicated team has been targeting stop-and-search powers to take weapons off our streets. Since April this year alone, it has carried out 55,759 searches and 5,629 weapons sweeps, and seized 591 weapons.

In addition, Mr Umunna warned against demonizing young people stating:

“I think our youth are fantastic. They are full of energy and life, vibrant and hugely talented, and they are absolutely part of what makes this city great.

“I do not want this debate to detract from those comments, as the worst thing that we can do is demonise our young people. We should not forget that 99% of London’s youth are not involved in serious youth violence.”

Shortly before the debate, Mr Umunna  met with members of Lambeth’s Youth Council including Lambeth’s Youth Mayor to discuss how youth violence can be reduced in London.  Mr Umunna had invited them to watch the proceedings in the House of Commons chamber gallery.

The manifesto outlines Labour’s determination to continue to bear down on crime and anti social behaviour, which is down since 1997 but remains a real issue in many areas.

• Crime has fallen dramatically under a Labour government
Crime is down by more than a third since 1997 – there are almost 1.5 million fewer violent crimes each year and almost 1 million fewer burglaries. Crime has not risen during the recession as it did in the 1980s and 1990s.

• Labour will protect frontline policing
Labour is committed to protecting central funding for police forces to maintain police numbers. In addition to the 3,600 Neighbourhood Policing Teams now in every area of England and Wales we will introduce a Policing Pledge which sets out clear minimum standards for local police forces in terms of response times, monthly beat meetings to set local priorities; and a commitment that local neighbourhood teams will spend at least 80 per cent of their time on the beat or in the community.

• Britain isn’t broken
Despite the Tories’ attempts to talk the country down, Britain isnt broken. Knife crime and gun crime are down, and with the help of communities we will continue to tackle issues like binge drinking and drug addiction with preventative measures like Family Intervention Programmes, and tough laws that give local authorities the power to ban irresponsible drinks promotions and punish persistent offenders from drinking in public, going to particular pubs or certain parts of town at night.

What this means for Streatham:
Streatham has seen a large reduction in crime over the past decade. Every ward in the consituency has a dedicated Safer Neighbourhood team of at least one sergeant, two police constables and three PCSOs to patrol local streets. Across Lambeth, burglary has fallen by 35% and violent crime by 16% between 2003-2008 and citywide, London now has 30,742 police officers, up 17% from 1998.

The manifesto proposals mean continued funding for our safer neighbourhood teams – which Tories will not guarantee to protect – to protect police numbers from public sector cuts and keep crime down.

Streatham residents will have the right to petition Lambeth council about areas they feel require CCTV cameras and have more say over neighbourhood surveillance plans.

Our area has already benefitted from Family Intervention Programmes – which have been proven to radically reduce antisocial behaviour and criminal behaviour – and which our manifesto proposes expanding to the rest of the country by 2015.

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham, is challenging Conservative candidate Rahoul Bhansali to match Labour’s commitment to Safer Neighbourhood Police Teams, after Tory Mayor Boris Johnson’s failure to support their future.

Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs), which were introduced by Labour, are dedicated teams of local police officers for each ward, working in the community to tackle and prevent crime and antisocial behaviour and provide a visible presence on the streets.

Local residents have a real say in how the teams operate and what their priorities should be through community safer neighbourhood panels.

The Streatham constituency has eight SNTs with representative panels overseeing their work. Every ward in London has an SNT comprising of a minimum of one sergeant, two police constables and three PCSOs to patrol local streets.

Conservative Mayor Boris Johnson has repeatedly refused to guarantee the future of SNTs, and has described them as a “pointless piece of top-downery”.

Although police numbers have risen by almost 17,000 since 1997, alongside more than 16,000 Police Community Support Officers, under Boris Johnson police numbers in London are being cut by a total of 455 officers. Over his four budgets Boris Johnson will oversee a decline in the total number of police officers for London.

Commenting, Mr Umunna said: “Safer Neighbourhood Teams have made a real difference in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. To continue this work, they need to be maintained at their current strength.

“I am deeply concerned by Boris Johnson’s failure to guarantee the future of neighbourhood policing, and I challenge Conservatives in Streatham to stand up for our dedicated local police teams.”

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: “Labour will ensure that frontline policing is protected but the Conservatives won’t match this guarantee.

“The Conservative threat to frontline services is shown here in London where the future of local police teams is at risk from the Conservative mayor Boris Johnson.”

The government has announced a consultation on new measures to tackle the problem of dangerous dogs.

This comes after the 12-fold increase in complaints to the RSPCA about dog fights between 2004 and 2008.

The Kennel Club and the Communications Workers Union, which has a large membership of postal workers, have welcomed the consultation.

The issue of ‘status dogs’ and dog fighting is one that resonates with the local community and Chuka Umunna fully supports the consultation. The Safer Neighbourhood Team in Tulse Hill, introduced by Labour, has successfully targeted dog fighting following its identification as a ward priority by the community members on the area’s Safer Neighbourhood Community Panel.

The consultation looks to build on the changes last year which saw new police and court orders to restrict the movements of gang members and prohibit them from owning or being in control of dogs.

Options include extending the provisions within the Dangerous Dogs Act to all places including private property, giving police and local councils more power to tackle potentially dangerous dogs through the introduction of Dog Control Notices and the removal of exemption notices which allows some people to keep banned dogs.

If you wish to contribute your thoughts to the consultation then you can do so via email to animalwelfareconsultations {at} defra.gsi.gov(.)uk or by writing to Defra, Animal Welfare Act Implementation Team, No 9 Millbank, c/o 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR. The consultation documents can be found on the Defra website along with a consultation letter and an online questionnaire.

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham, has called for the funfair to be dropped from this year’s summer Lambeth Country Show after it attracted gang violence at last year’s event.

Chuka attended the Lambeth Country Show last year and spoke at a Lambeth Community Police Consultative Group (CPCG) public meeting at the event on Saturday 18 July.

Immediately after the meeting, he and other participants witnessed confrontation between two large rival gangs in and around the funfair area of the festival, with a teenager being stabbed in the fracas.

The 16-year old’s arm was slashed with a knife. Hundreds of Police had to intervene and dozens of arrests were made. As the violence escalated, dozens of families fled from the funfair where the violence began.

On the Saturday evening, a 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of an offensive weapon, along with another boy of the same age who was accused of assaulting a police officer.

Lambeth Country Show, a free annual community event held in Brockwell Park, last year attracted more than 100,000 visitors over two days.

While during the day the event was a success, the funfair attracted gang violence, and Mr Umunna is calling for the funfair to be dropped from the event this year to help prevent trouble breaking out again.

After witnessing the incident last year, Mr Umunna has made his concerns known to the police and Lambeth council, which organises the Lambeth Country Show.

Mr Umunna has been prompted to call for the funfair to be pulled after hearing the concerns of many local parents’ who say they will not allow their teenage children to attend the Country Show because of their worries about security issues and the risk of further gang violence.

Mr Umunna said: “Last year’s Lambeth Country Show was a huge success but was unfortunately marred by gang violence and a teenager was stabbed.

“Trouble was also reported at other events similar to the Lambeth Country Show in Southwark and Lewisham.

“Getting rid of the funfair at our Country Show would reduce the risk of gangs congregating at it, help police maintain order and ensure the event continues to be one of the great highlights in our summer calendar.”

“Having heard the concerns of local parents, I feel we have to act to make sure this year’s event is safe for all concerned – the funfair has acted as a magnet for trouble and removing it makes sense in my view.”

It has been reported by South London Press (‘Ditch Funfair at Top Show’, Feb 19 2010) that Mr Umunna witnessed the stabbing of a teenager at the event. By way of clarification, although Mr Umunna saw the violence at the funfair, he did did not witness the stabbing which took place.

The government has launched new measures to tackle anti-social behaviour in local communities.

Lambeth has been allocated an additional fund of £54,000 to train front-line staff, empower local residents and fund local action to build on the successful fight against anti-social behaviour. Across the country, an extra £10 million is being invested.

Since Labour introduced tools such as anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) the majority of offenders have ceased their activity after one intervention. This combined with the general perception of anti-social behaviour as a local problem falling significantly since 2003 demonstrates the benefits to Streatham of Labour’s approach to law and order.

The new measures include:

- The training of community champions so that they can shape local decision making and challenge officials so that no problem is ignored;

- Training and equipping front-line staff to take faster and more effective action;

- A dedicated Housing Anti-social Behaviour Action Squad providing expert help and solutions for landlords.

- Empowering local residents with the information and tools required to report and tackle anti-social behaviour, for example ensuring that tenants are equipped to challenge social landlords, councils and police;

- Tools and guidance for social landlords along with a Respect Standard that they have to live up to;

- Small scale funding for local action such as environmental clean ups to deal with fly-tipping.

Labour’s approach is in stark contrast to that of the Tories who have constantly voted against tougher sentences and more effective police powers. Despite the impact of gun crime in communities across London they have previously voted against the banning of handguns and five year minimum sentences for carrying an illegal gun.

The Lib Dems have repeatedly tried to obstruct Labour’s measures on crime, voting against the successful Anti-social Behaviour Act along with extended police and local authority powers. These actions brought in parenting contracts which have reinforced positive behaviour and helped remove anti-social behaviour. Lib Dem run councils have a track record of being slow to tackle anti-social behaviour and to use the powers that the Labour government has given them.

That every British citizen is now less likely to be a victim of crime than at any other time in the last 25 years is a testament to Labour’s success on law and order.

Local residents across Lambeth will get extra help to tackle anti-social behaviour with up to ten thousand front-line staff and community champions receiving training and support to use tough powers and solve local problems, the government has announced.

Local councils and social landlords working with the police are tackling anti-social behaviour effectively and supporting victims.

Latest figures from the British Crime Survey show there has been a fall in people’s perception of anti-social behaviour as a local problem over the last six years.

But statistics are cold comfort to victims, and ministers are determined that everyone across the country should be working together in driving down anti-social behaviour and driving up people’s confidence.
Support and training needs to go further and deeper across communities.

The government is therefore calling on frontline staff from community safety teams to housing officers across England to make full use of the powers and tools already available, while giving more support to residents and community activists.

This drive, which is being funded by a £10m package, will target 130 local councils including Lambeth, which is set to receive a new tranche of funding.

This additional funding will support measures letting local residents know the rights and how to report anti-social behaviour through targeted leaflets, regional events and information for local media as well as extra training for frontline staff such as police and neighbourhood wardens.

It will also fund new clean-up campaigns, supporting community led projects to engage young people and creating more attractive public spaces.

Social landlords, including housing associations such as Clapham Park Homes will have a duty to take measures to stop anti-social behaviour, being required to sign up to a binding Respect Standard.

Where this is not upheld, people will be given support to challenge landlords and councils to make sure that action is taken.

A new Housing Anti-Social Behaviour Squad is being set up nationally to deal with crime in areas of social housing, providing help on the ground to deal with problems faced by housing associations.

Commenting, Chuka Umunna said: “Evidence shows that intervention against anti-social behaviour works, and the new measures and funding will help tackle the problem in our area.”

“People need to know that they are not alone – the government, council and police are on their side in dealing with problem neighbours, violence and vandalism.”

In this video, Chuka talks to Streatham resident, Jennifer McDermott. Jennifer’s daughter, Cassandra, was killed in 2001 at her home in Streatham aged 19, as a result of domestic violence. Her killer – Mario Celaire – was cleared of her murder in 2002 but, as a result of a change in the law regarding double jeapoardy, was re-tried and found guilty of Cassandra’s manslaughter in May 2009.

The double jeopardy rule had previously stopped defendants from being tried twice for the same crime on the same set of facts. The MacPherson Report, which resulted from the investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence, suggested that the rule be amended so that where “fresh and viable” new evidence came to light in a case, a defendant could be retried. As a result the government passed into law the 2003 Criminal Justice Act which allows retrials if there is “new” and “compelling” evidence.

Celaire’s was the first high profile retrial to take place under the Act where a defendant had previously been acquitted and was then found guilty on retrial. In this case he had beaten up another girlfriend after Cassandra’s death. He confessed to attacking Cassandra to the other girlfriend who, after his attack on her with a hammer, was left paralysed and barely able to speak. However, she lived to tell her story in court and provide the new evidence needed for a retrial of Cassandra’s killing to take place.

Jennifer, Cassandra’s mother, has set up the Cassandra Learning Centre in her daughter’s memory, a charity with the mission of raising awareness of domestic violence in young adults’ relationships. Chuka is a strong supporter of the charity.

Domestic violence is a significant problem both nationally and in Lambeth, which has the highest rate of domestic violence in London. Nearly one in three women in the UK have experienced domestic violence.

Earlier this year, the government launched a consultation on proposals to end domestic abuse, including ways in which police and court powers could be strengthened to control violent perpetrators, particularly serial offenders who move between relationships. Both the public, voluntary groups and charities are being consulted in order to build on what has already been achieved, such as the increase in conviction and prosecution rates over the past ten years.

For more information, visit the Home Office website here: Domestic Violence.

Tessa Jowell, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, and Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Streatham, promote free discount vouchers for home security products as part of a government package of support to help the public prevent burglary and keep crime down.

On 17 April 2007, Tessa Jowell, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, and Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Streatham, visited B&Q West Norwood to promote free government advice packs for people concerned about becoming victims of burglary.

The pack provides simple and practical advice on what local people can do to prevent burglary and includes discount vouchers for home security products from B&Q and Focus.

The initiative is part of a £20 million package of practical measures to keep crime down. Other measures include:

• Intensified police operations around the country to turn the tables on repeat burglars, with burglary a top priority for the police nationally. This will be backed by £3 million funding in targeted areas, to step up the monitoring and management of burglars on release from prison.
• A new £6 million Safer Homes fund to pay for local handy-people to visit up to 45,000 homes of people who are less likely to have good home security, such as older people and people on low incomes, and install security devices such as window locks making those houses more secure.
• New advice from insurers on what home security measures householders can install to get the best deal from the insurance market.

Local residents can obtain the free advice pack by calling 0800 456 1213. The pack includes the following:

• advice leaflets on preventing burglary and distraction burglary;
• a printed version of the online personalised home security self-assessment from the Home Office website;
• a ‘before you leave the house’ security checklist to put by the front door;
• a guide to Neighbourhood Watch and the benefits of setting up a scheme;
• advice for tenants on home security – their responsibilities and the landlord’s responsibilities;
• a copy of the Policing Pledge; and
• discount vouchers for home security devices at B&Q stores.

Commenting on their visit, Umunna and Jowell said:

“Burglary has more than halved in the last decade and it important we keep it that way.

“The public are our best weapon in fighting crime and, working together, we can stop those criminals who think they can take advantage in these tough economic times.”

Bret Phipps, General Manager of the West Norwood branch of B&Q said:

“B&Q is committed to making people feel safer in their own homes. We offer sensible precautions that needn’t be expensive – bolts, padlocks and timer switches are available from £2.

“We are delighted to support the govenment’s new resource pack. This pack will provide money off vouchers for B&Q’s 1000 home security products, enabling people to feel safer in their homes, ensuing greater piece of mind.”

Anyone who is concerned about burglary can also contact their local neighbourhood police team for information on crime prevention by visiting www.direct.gov.uk/policingpledge and using the postcode search facility to find their contact details.

Jowell and Umunna were accompanied by the Deputy Leader of Lambeth Council, Cllr Jackie Meldrum.