A GROUP of Brent youths took part in a candid discussion about youth violence in front of their peers and politicians.

Around 15 youngsters headed to the headquarters of Bang Radio in Harlesden on Wednesday last week to give their views on the major issues that affect their generation.

The event was led by shadow minister MP Stella Creasy, of Walthamstow constituency, as part of her London wide campaign to collate the honest views of young people in a bid to tackle youth violence.

Youngsters spoke with Ms Creasy about empathy as well as the causes of violent behaviour.

Christopher Tyrell, 18, from Brent, came along to take part in the conversation and said: “I think it’s a good thing that young people are able to have a voice.

“I think it’s important for people to understand that not all young people hanging around together are gangs in a negative way, but they almost automatically get that label. That’s difficult.”

The Brent youngsters were chosen to take part due to their involvement in similar discussions, community organisations and projects.

Stonebridge ward councillor Zaffar Van Kalwala, who helped to organise the event, said: “This was a really important event where young people in Brent discussed one of the biggest issues we face as a community.

“We are definitely at a tipping point. Do we just accept gangs and gang culture in Brent? Or do we say as a community this is something we will not tolerate, especially when young people are saying that they can’t even go to certain post codes in the borough because they fear for their safety?”

Ms Creasy will collaborate all the opinions and feed them back to the next elected London mayor in the hope they will be acted upon in a positive way.

She said: “This is a city where 7,500 people have been victims of knife crime and we need to protect these young people. We are thinking about the things we can do to tackle the problem. We want to give young people responsibility to be involved in discussions
and find out how they think we can make their communities safer.”

The discussions were recorded to be later played on Bang Radio.