• AS a social worker, I work every day with young people at risk of falling into gangs and violent crime.

Through my work, I work alongside police officers, local councils, schools and families to help support young people who are most at risk.

Sadly violent crime is all too common in London. It has a terrible impact on communities and the lives of the young people involved.

Talking with residents across South Hampstead, I’ve heard routinely that community safety is a key concern. That’s why I want to work with colleagues and lead on this issue at the town hall.

At the heart of combating violent crime is building a stronger, safer community. At work I have seen just how important it is to prevent violent crime from happening in the first place; it keeps young people and communities safe. We simply have to take a prevention-led approach.

Labour-run Camden Council has already done so much good work here with its youth safety taskforce, but more could be done.

I want to see Camden leading the way in innovative ways to keep communities safe; from youth workers stationed at crime hotspots to draw vulnerable children away from anti-social behaviour, to further investment in CCTV and collaboration with the police on gang-exit schemes. I want to drive forward this work so we can create a safer Camden for everyone.

If elected in the South Hampstead by-election next month, I want to lead on making our streets safer here in our community. I hope I can count on your support.

TOMMY GALE
Labour Party Candidate for the South Hampstead By-election