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Sadiq Khan has been urged to set a goal of zero murders in London within 10 years as figures reveal the extent of the violence epidemic in the capital.
Between 2005 and 2020, more than 2,000 people were murdered in London, with young Black people significantly more likely to be victims.
While knife crime is a significant contributor the number of murders in London, almost 17 per cent of all killings in the years examined were domestic abuse homicides. Women make up the vast majority of victims in these cases.
The scale of the problem has been highlighted in a new report by Green Party London Assembly member Caroline Russell, who has said that “we aren’t doing enough” to tackle violence in London and has called on London’s leaders to take “bold action”.
Read more: Three victims shot in a barber shop and one later stabbed
She said: “Clearly, we aren’t doing enough if homicide rates have barely reduced since 2005.
“More than 2,000 lives have been violently cut short since then. That means more than 2,000 families living without a loved one, and more than 2,000 homicides that should have been prevented.
“To make matters worse, the disproportionality between different groups is staggering. Black communities are suffering the loss of too many young black lives. These are not just deaths, but whole families and communities throughout London, traumatised by violence.
“The Mayor should set a goal of zero murders in London within 10 years in order to have a strategic goal to measure his progress against.”
Sian Berry, the Green Party’s candidate in this year’s mayoral election, had included a pledge to target zero murders within 10 years as part of her election manifesto.
Ahead of the election in March, Ms Berry said: “Don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done.”
The manifesto included a pledge to expand the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) set up by Sadiq Khan as well as boost funding for…
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Source : times
