PRIME MINISTER PRAISES SOUTHWARK'S 'GOOD WORKS' ON GANGS AND GUN CRIME

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 23rd Aug 2007

The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has praised Liberal Democrat led Southwark Council's 'good works' on gang and gun crime. He was speaking at the start of a summit at 10 Downing Street attended by Cllr Jeff Hook, Lib Dem Executive Member for Community Safety.

"It is good that Southwark is being recognised for the efforts we are making to work with the community to stop people moving into gang life and to defuse tensions when they arise," said Cllr Jeff Hook.

"There appears to be a genuine desire by the Prime Minister to work co-operatively to end gang and gun violence and I am glad that he has been able to learn something from Southwark's work in this area."

"I told the Prime Minister that the next change that was needed was for courts to have more regard to the potential inflammatory effect of putting gang leaders out on bail after they have been arrested. Courts need to realise that tensions are unlikely to be eased in such circumstances. The Prime minister agreed to look into this."

Cllr Hook was one of two representatives of local government at the summit which was also attended by ministers from a range of departments, chief police and probation officers and organisations such as the From Boyhood to Manhood Foundation which works to stop young people from entering gang lifestyles.