LIB DEM SHADOW HOME SECRETARY IN PECKHAM

12.00.00am GMT Tue 20th Feb 2007

Nick Clegg MP, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, together with Liberal Democrat Party President Simon Hughes MP, visited Peckham yesterday to talk to Police, Council and Community leaders in the light of recent murders and other violent incidents in the Peckham and Camberwell areas.

As well as talking to local residents, Nick Clegg and Simon Hughes met with Council Leader Nick Stanton, senior police officers, Decima Francis of the From Boyhood to Manhood Foundation and Tim Hetherington of Southwark Community Games.

Speaking after his fact-finding walk from Peckham to Camberwell, Nick Clegg MP said:

"It is clear how passionately people care about this neighbourhood - a fact often overshadowed in the reporting of the recent spate of shootings. Projects, such as the Southwark Community Games, offer fantastic activities for young people, and help build community pride."

"Southwark Council's commitment to community action is something I am proud to support. We need to provide people with the opportunities to express themselves, and not allow the recent terrible events to demonise a whole generation."

Cllr Nick Stanton, Liberal Democrat Leader of Southwark Council, said:

"In the wake of the recent violent crime incidents in Southwark, Nick Clegg asked to come to meet with the Council and local community leaders to understand better the problems that local people are contending with. I think that we were able to show him not only the problems that we face but also the very positive work that so many local people and groups are doing."

Simon Hughes MP, Liberal Democrat Party President, said:

"Peckham and Camberwell are vibrant communities where the overwhelming majority of residents want peace on the streets and success for themselves and their families. The first job of every community and political leader is to support young people as they grow up so that they know that the best opportunities in education, recreation, work and training will be available for them. As a former youth leader I know that building up good youth work on our estates and streets is one of the best investments in young people that money can buy."