Boris, Joanne and Shaun Bailey host a forum in Queen’s Park to discuss knife crime amongst teenagers in the area

- Two teenagers stabbed, one fatally, in less than three weeks in Westminster North
- If elected London Mayor, Boris pledges to lead the fight against gun and knife crime
- Joanne Cash believes that violent crime amongst teenagers should at the top of the political agenda
- Shaun Bailey backs Boris’ support for voluntary organisations

Last night, the Conservative Candidate for London Mayor, Boris Johnson, and Conservative Parliamentary Candidates, Joanne Cash and Shaun Bailey, hosted a forum in Queen’s Park to discuss the problem of violent crime amongst teenagers in the area.

The three Conservative politicians were speaking less than 24 hours after a teenager was stabbed in Westbourne. Although this attack was not fatal, it came less than three weeks after Amro Elbadawi, a fourteen year old boy, died from a single knife wound to the neck during a dispute with another teenager on the Mozart estate in Queen’s Park.

Joanne Cash was appalled by Ken Livingstone’s recent comments about violence amongst teenagers:

“Ken Livingstone has criticised the media for focusing on these events. He is wrong.

“There have been two stabbings in this constituency, and one young boy has lost his life, during the last three weeks. The more press coverage, the better; this issue has to be kept at the top of the political agenda.

“Some children carry a knife as a status symbol to impress their friends, others believe it provides them with protection; very few intend to use it. Practically none of these teenagers will be aware that they are much more likely to be stabbed by their own knife than by someone else’s.

“It is the job of the mayor to lead the fight-back against violent crime; every Londoner has the right to walk our streets, to use our public transport and to enjoy our green spaces in confidence, and without fear of attack.

“Electing Boris Johnson as the Mayor of London on May 1st will be a massive step in the right direction.”

The Conservative Candidate for London Mayor, Boris Johnson said:

"After 10 years in Government and 8 years with Ken Livingstone as Mayor, with two weeks to go until London's elections, Labour have failed to address the serious issue of knife crime.

"Gun and knife crime has been blighting London's streets and we need fresh ideas to rid our communities of these weapons.

"Our current Labour leaders seem to be in a state of despair and Labour's lack of action on this issue in London has led to families unnecessarily losing loved ones. All Londoners have the chance on May 1st to vote for a change to help make their streets safer."

Shaun Bailey, who also heads the youth orientated charity My Generation, praised Boris’ crime manifesto:

“Boris understands the gravity of the situation that we are facing in London and his policies reflect that. A lot can be achieved by focusing on the smaller issues, such as anti-social behaviour on buses.
“Our children have to be educated about their responsibilities. They have to realise that their actions have consequences for both themselves and others.

“Boris’ pledge to provide support for the voluntary sector is absolutely vital if we are to win this fight.  There are many organisations experienced in dealing with deprived families and youth gangs and we have to make sure that we put their expertise to good use.”