LONDON MAYOR Sadiq Khan has published an interactive map which purports to show hundreds of activities for youngsters taking place across the capital this summer.
However, a look at the map shows how little there is on offer – particularly during the summer of a year in which the talk has been about knife and gun crime as well as acid attacks being far too prevalent across the capital.
The map apparently shows over 200 activities, many of which have received funds from the London Mayor. Spread out across the capital, it looks very sparse – a fact the London Mayor seems to have recognised, as he has called on London’s 32 council to add in additional events so that the map can become a one-stop shop for London’s young people looking for things to do in August..
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, had plenty to say about the summer offer. “Here at City Hall, we’re determined to do everything we can to give young Londoners opportunities to get involved in some of the great things we are putting on in London this summer,” he said.
“While there are some early signs that the violence may have stabilised in recent weeks due to our public health approach and increased investment from City Hall, we must take nothing for granted. I’ve been clear that diversion and prevention must go hand in hand with enforcement in our battle to tackle knife and violent crime in London. That’s why City Hall is funding record amounts to try and fill the void left by government cuts to youth services, so that young Londoners have proper access to good, safe projects they can attend during the holidays to help them fulfil their potential and to keep them away from the streets and dangers of crime.
“While the government buries its head in the sand over its cuts to policing and youth service budgets, I refuse to accept that nothing can be done to stem the rise in violence. City Hall has made sure that our funding is available for activities for young Londoners from the very start of the summer – again something the government has failed to do with its own funding.”
•To view the interactive map, go to: https://www.london.gov.uk/our-london/
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