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WALTHAMSTOW: "Devastated" Loakes to call for meeting about knife crime
7:11pm Sunday 24th August 2008
WALTHAM Forest Council leader Clyde Loakes is to call for an urgent meeting with the leaders and mayors of the five Olympic boroughs, following this morning’s murder.
An 18-year-old man was found near Walthamstow central bus station in Selborne Road, at about 1.40am with severe knife wounds.
He was later pronounced dead in hospital.
As a result, the council announced that the Global Voices event, which would have featured singing from the London Gospel Community Choir, was cancelled.
Cllr Loakes now wants to speak to the leaders of the other Olympic boroughs, Newham, Greenwich, Tower Hamlets and Hackney, to discuss how the Games can be used to tackle knife crime.
Cllr Loakes said: “I was devastated to learn that instead of celebrating London officially becoming the next Olympic host, in Walthamstow we would be mourning the loss of another young life.
“Yet again a small criminal minority have acted with devastating effect. This must stop.
“Knife crime is a serious problem, threatening not just Londoners but every part of the United Kingdom.
“Crimes of violence have no place in this borough.
“Tackling knife and gang crime is a priority for the authority and we continue to work closely with the police to intervene as early as possible and provide positive activities for young people in the borough.
“The safety and welfare of our young people is the responsibility of everyone in our community and we need everyone to work together to provide them with a strong future.
“As the leader of Waltham Forest Council, I intend to call an urgent meeting of the leaders and mayors of the five host boroughs.
“We need to work with the police and the Mayor of London to use our unique position to deter young people from carrying knives. As host boroughs, we must use the power of the Games coming to East London to inspire change in our communities, change for our young people.”
Your Say Your Guardian
Technomist, Walthamstow says...
12:58am Mon 25 Aug 08
I would hate for the idea to get out that not having had the Olympics previously is why the knifing rate has got to where it is now. I am also afraid that Councillor Loakes is so mesmerised by the Olympics he sees them as a panacea for all our ills from littering (as reported previously in this paper) to the reduction of violent crime.
There are things the council can do right now, not having to wait till four years time or involving Mr Loakes ducking for the political cover of going to other neighbouring boroughs for a solution. The things he can do now do not relate to the Olympics.
Councillor Loakes can go back to the council he claims to 'lead' and find out why it does not spend its money wisely on its youth services, why it provides inferior education services and why it is totally unable to hold the Met to account for their currently failing local policing strategy.
Looking to the Olympics is clutching at straws. The Olympics, the Mayor or these other boroughs,will not change any of the fundamental failings of his administration. He calls himself a leader, so he should do it. Or admit he is as out of his depth as many people already believe and make way for someone who can.
DDB Highams Park, Highams Park says...
6:04pm Mon 25 Aug 08
turpin, epping says...
12:31pm Tue 26 Aug 08
He also says that” we must use the power of the Games coming to East London to inspire change in our communities, change for our young people.”. Indeed we should.
So why, Councellor Loakes, as soon as you heard the news on Sunday moring, didn’t you call on every Councellor, Community and Faith Leader, citizen of influence and, indeed, the whole community you serve, to gather together, join hands in solidarity and demonstate to London and the World that Waltham Forest is a Borough big enough to make a statement against these acts of violence, proud of it’s intended role in 2012 and determined not to let such a dreadful event diminish that collective will?. As you remind us, you are currently “Leader of Waltham Forest - a Host Borough for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games “. It could have been a splendid act of leadership. It could have united the community.
If the Town Square couldn’t have accomodated the event then the Town Hall grounds, one of the parks or The Assembly Hall could have. Hiring in a wide sreen, setting up a sound system, all possible from an organisation able to show some grit and determination in the face of adversity. Would it have been as slick without the much promoted giant screen? Maybe not, but I bet the atmosphere would have been electric – not to say uplifting.
Still, the Councellor is off to organise an” urgent meeting of the Leaders and Mayors of the five host boroughs”. Which, I have no doubt, will lead, in turn, to some pretty important committees being formed and, dare I suggest it, the drafting in of some very expensive consultants to oversee a new strategy. So, that’s all right then.
God forbid the Leader of the Council should actually get out on the streets and engage with his own community.
Barry J, Chingford says...
9:29pm Wed 27 Aug 08
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joeine.fearon@btopenworld.com, Leytonstone says...
12:39am Mon 25 Aug 08
However, I will say that I am not shocked, awful as it sounds, it's sad that we seem to be getting immune to those words "MURDERED" or " STABBED!
I can't begin to imagine how the parents are feeling or what they are going through and I like many pass on through your paper my condolences.
It seems so easy to take someones life these days. No consideration is given to the time and energy in raising a child, through all the other dangers and perils around. Then as they stand up alone, they are so quickly and easily chopped down.
I am praying for them, but something radical has to be done and soon.
My daughter Camara was to perform at the Olympic Ceremony found out and called me (I am in the USA) and reiterated my thoughts about how the terrible news would effect both families. I know all to well about problems our youth bring home, it is a terrible burden for us, especially when you know you have done your very best as parents.
Also, I know that a lot of hard work was put in place by organisers, artists and everyone involved for this event. It is a bitter disappointment for us in our borough, that such an opportunity bestowed would be cancelled by such a terrible brutal tragedy.
We must not become impervious to what is going on, on our streets. Instead we, as so called responsible adults have to challenge it.
Joeine Fearon