Published: 6 July, 2012

• I’D like to reassure readers that we have a successful approach to tackling gang-related crime in Hackney (We must crack down on gangs before it’s beyond rescue point, June 29).

Hackney Council and Hackney Police joined forces in 2010 to develop an Integrated Gangs Intervention Project – an initiative that’s proven so successful that the Metropolitan Police is using it as a model of best practice and is encouraging other London boroughs to adapt it for their own areas.

Bill Bratton, the former New York Police Commissioner, has praised Hackney’s work on tackling gangs.

Initial evaluation of the programme after six months showed a reduction in gang violence of 59 per cent.

Gang-related crime fell by 68 per cent and gang-related gun crime by 67 per cent.

Overall crime rates in Hackney are at their lowest for 12 years. We are very far from being “beyond rescue point”.

Criminals don’t consider borough boundaries so it’s important we work together to crack down on the minority of people who commit these crimes in Hackney and Islington. 

CLLR SOPHIE LINDEN
Cabinet member for crime,
Hackney Council