A Lambeth project that helps young people at risk of getting involved with gangs has won a major national award.  The Labour-run council’s X-It programme beat off stiff competition to take top honours in the Guardian’s Public Service Awards children’s category. 

Lambeth’s X-It programme helps vulnerable young people stay out of gang membership and away from gang-related crime.  The project is led by young people and includes young peer mentors, often former gang members themselves, who visit schools and work with young people at risk of getting involved in gangs.
 
Over seventy-two percent of young people referred to the project do not reoffend – a success rate that has already won X-It national recognition.  A leading committee of MPs has praised the scheme and councils across the country are now following the Lambeth project’s lead.  Young people across Lambeth last week elected the Borough’s first ever Youth Mayor with a mandate to support projects that cut youth crime.  Lib Dems, who are soft on crime, drew criticism from young people, parents and teachers when their sour-faced councillors slapped down the Youth Mayor whingeing that his election by over 3500 young people was ‘absurd’. 

Labour’s Steve Reed is Leader of Lambeth Council.  He said: “Labour was elected a year ago saying our priority would be making Lambeth safer.  That means more engagement with young people and investment in projects that help cut youth crime.  I’m proud of the success of our X-It Programme.  The scheme reaches out to young people most at risk and helps keep them away from gangs and gang-related crime.  I offer my congratulations to everyone involved in this project, and I’m delighted they’ve won national recognition for the important work they do.”

Well done!  Steve joins Tessa Jowell MP, councillors and members of the X-it programme to celebrate their national award for helping young people stay away from violent gangs.