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News

3rd June 2010
London Action Trust Staff Changes

We regret to announce that Tony Kinson is leaving London Action Trust on 3rd June 2010. We would like to thank Tony for all his hard work, particularly with his help in driving ASB Online forward, and his IT expertise.

We wish him luck in his new post of Web Officer at the London Fire Brigade.

Nominations for the 2010 Philip Lawrence Awards are now open. From tackling issues like bullying and antisocial behaviour to improving their communities and having fun, inspiring groups are volunteering their time and proving that young people can be a force for good, and the Philip Lawrence Awards can help promote and celebrate this work.

Ten winning groups will get:

• An invitation to the awards ceremony in London
• National and local recognition for their great work
• Acknowledged as young leaders
• A short film about their project
• £1000 to spend on their project

The closing date for nominations is 15th September 2010. Application can be made online.

27/4/2010
New Prostitution Laws

In this factsheet the Greater London Authority outlines some of the key measures which came into effect in April 2010 as part of the Policing and Crime Act 2009.  You can download the factsheet from the Hot Topics page of ASB Online.

12/4/2010
Councils get new powers to control lap-dancing clubs

Councils have been given powers to close existing lap-dancing clubs and block new ones from opening under rules introduced to give local communities a greater say over their impact.

All lap-dancing clubs are now being classed as sex establishments rather than as pubs and cafes, which means they will have to apply to their council for a new licence.

Local authorities will have the option to impose a wider range of conditions on the licences and to limit the number of lap-dancing clubs in a particular area, but only after they have adopted an official policy regarding lap-dancing clubs.

Read the article in full: The Guardian 6th April.

8/4/2010
Communities at the heart of prevention - Locally led solutions to crime

On the 20th January 2010, London Action Trust launched a series of exciting new projects, all of which work to reduce crime in the capital, tackle anti-social behaviour, and help London communities support their young people.

Visit the Communities at the heart of prevention page on the ASB Online website, to see pictures of the event, view presentations, download the delegate pack and watch the video that was shown at the event, Wayne Campbell's Gritty City.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw has announced that Louise Casey has been appointed as the new, independent Victims' Commissioner.

The appointment of Louise Casey to this new statutory role follows the introduction of the first National Victims' Service, which guarantees all victims of crime and anti-social behaviour referred by the police more comprehensive and dedicated support.

The Victims' Commissioner role will include:

• working across the criminal justice system to improve support for victims and witnesses, including victims of anti-social behaviour
• chairing the new Victims Advisory Panel and working with local and national victims groups to make sure the voice of victims is fed-back to and impacts directly on Government policy
• reviewing the code of practice for victims of crime, which provides a guarantee to victims of crime of the level of service they are entitled to

For further information, read the Ministry of Justice news release.

A new See the Difference website has been launched that will allow charities to showcase, through online videos, their current and proposed projects. See the Difference is a charity that offers free training, mentoring and dedicated producers to help produce videos with real impact for fundraising purposes.

23/3/2010
Greater London Domestic Violence Project

In April 2010, the Greater London Domestic Violence Project will become AVA (Against Violence & Abuse), a national second-tier service working to end all forms of violence against women and girls.  For further details, visit the Greater London Domestic Violence Project website.

15/3/2010
New report – the Female Voice in Violence

A new report by Race on the Agenda (ROTA), argues that fresh thinking is needed to support women and girls involved in serious youth violence.

The Female Voice in Violence report draws on face-to-face research with 352 friends, relatives, victims or perpetrators of gangs and gang violence. Ranging in age from 13-52, the experiences of these women and girls highlight lessons for policy makers and those working to prevent serious youth violence.

Hard copies of the report may be purchased directly from ROTA, at a cost of £25 each. Please contact Liz Carr for more information.

4/3/2010
Kindle guide to Commissioning and the community sector

This new publication has been written specifically for community organisations to help them understand commissioning and seize the opportunities that this process affords. These include the opportunity to use their local knowledge to shape services.

Kindle is a partnership of national charities supporting the community sector, children and youth services. They are working with the Commissioning Support Programme (CSP) to produce guidance for local authorities and their Children’s Trust partners to help them appreciate the contribution voluntary and community organisations can make and how they can get involved in local commissioning.

Download the new guide: Commissioning and the Community Sector.

Community sector organisations can also use the online discussion forums to share their experiences of being commissioned or ask advice from other organisations across the country.

For more information, go to www.childrenstrusts.info.

1/3/2010
New National Victims’ Service announced

The details of a new National Victims’ Service were announced on 27th January by Justice Secretary Jack Straw. Through a series of reforms the new national service will “guarantee all victims of crime and antisocial behaviour, referred by the police, more comprehensive and dedicated support.”

• The first phase of the service begins in March and will help families bereaved by murder or manslaughter through the provision of intensive support (both practical and emotional), tailored to their individual needs and circumstances. This help will continue for as long as the individual needs it (beyond the conclusion of any investigation or trial). March will also see the appointment of the first Victims’ Commissioner (a statutory post) who will promote victims' interests and keep the Victims' Code of Practice under review
• From April the enhanced service will begin to be rolled out to all victims of crime across England and Wales. The Government also plans to revise the Victims’ Code of Practice to ensure that victims of anti-social behaviour receive appropriate support and information
• From July this year, all victims of crime will also be entitled to a case worker dedicated to helping guide them through the criminal justice system, who will stay with them until they no longer need help
  

The announcement follows the recent publication of Redefining Justice, a report by Victims’ Champion, Sara Payne, which draws on the experience of victims and witnesses across the country and their journey through the justice system.

Home Office Press Release
Download ‘The National Victims' Service: An initial response to the Victims' Champion's report’

1/3/2010
Trial and Error: Children and young people in trouble with the law, a guide for charities and funders

New Philanthropy Capital’s report, Trial and Error, explores the issue of youth offending and highlights some of the innovative and promising ways that charities are helping young people to stay out of trouble.

The report, aimed at charities and funders, examines strengths and weaknesses within the youth justice sector, outlines the role government plays, and highlights areas where investment could create greatest impact.

Read the article and download the full report on the New Philanthropy Capital's website.

15/2/2010
No place for hate: working together to tackle hate crime

Date: 26 March 2010
Time: 09.30am – 4.30pm
Venue: ORT House Conference Centre London
Cost: from £145.00 + VAT for small voluntary organisations to £245.00 + VAT for Central Government/private organisations 

The conference explores the challenges and opportunities for taking effective action by bringing together the latest evidence, policy and practice developments across different sectors and countries.

For further details, and to book a place, please visit the conference website.

8/2/2010
Reducing Re-offending Third Sector Action Plan Progress Report

The report outlining progress on work with voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises to reduce reoffending, is available on the Ministry of Justice website.

The review reports on what has been delivered since the action plan was published in October 2008 and gives details of work in progress.

The report of the Reducing Re-offending Third Sector Advisory Group, on page 10 of the review, includes the group's proposals for further development as well as comments on the wide range of initiatives to promote and enhance the role of the voluntary and community sector described in the Annual Progress Review. It highlights the strengths of the third sector in both reach and skills, in responding to the challenges outlined.

22/1/2010
ASB Online

The ASB Online website provides a wealth of information on tackling anti-social behaviour and youth crime in London. ASB Online is managed by the Community Safety Advisory Service.

ASB online was officially launched at City Hall on the 20th January 2010. An event overview will be available soon.

22/1/2010
New Home Office Research Report - Improving public confidence in the police; a review of the evidence

In 2008 the Government published the Green Paper From the neighbourhood to the national: policing our communities together which proposed a single top-down target to replace the multiple targets previously used to monitor police performance.

The current single target is to improve levels of public confidence that the police and local councils are dealing with the crime and anti-social behaviour issues that matter locally, as measured by the British Crime Survey. Individual targets were set for each police force and published in March 2009.

To help inform forces on how to improve their performance, a literature review was commissioned to summarise the evidence on ‘what works’ in terms of improving public confidence in the police, ‘what looks promising’ and ‘potential pitfalls’ when implementing confidence-building measures.

You can access the full review of evidence on the Home Office website, (scroll down to ‘recent publications’) along with a two page summary of key findings.

23/12/2009
London Violence Against Women and Girls Panel

Voluntary and community sector members are sought for the London Violence Against Women and Girls Panel.

Panel members will be responsible for informing and championing London’s approach to violence against women and girls as set out in the Mayor’s strategy “The Way Forward” and the action plan embedding preventative work and challenging attitudes towards violence against women and girls across various sectors.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is noon on Friday 8th January 2010. The selection process will take place in January.

London Violence Against Women and Girls Panel

15/12/2009
Consulting the Capital: London Councils Commissioning Priorities – 2011-2015

London’s borough leaders have agreed the vision for London Councils’ future commissioning programme, expressed as:

“Londoners enabled to live better and healthier lives, enjoying economic, housing, educational and cultural opportunities in a safer and more sustainable environment; through improved services delivered by the voluntary sector working in partnership with London’s local authorities.”

As part of this, London Councils have proposed six challenges for 2011-2015. They reflect those of ‘The London Narrative’ which brings together the key priorities of all London boroughs as set out in the Local Area Agreements.

London Councils have begun a consultation process on the 2011-2015 funding programme. To view the six challenges, and feed into the consultation, download the London Action Trust Briefing or visit the Consulting the Capital website.

Please note the deadline for responses is Friday, 29th January 2010.

4/12/2009
Precedent Charity competition

The creative communications agency Precedent are running a competition to win a bespoke website worth over £30,000, which includes the creation of a digital strategy, web training on writing for the web, search engine optimisation and digital marketing. Precedent will also support the winning charity by helping out with some fundraising and campaign support.

The competition is open to all UK charities and to enter, you need to create and upload a video to Youtube explaining why you should win and what difference having a Precedent website and digital strategy would make a difference to your charity. Full details can be found here. The closing date is 10th January 2010.

23/11/2009
White Ribbon Day

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - also known as White Ribbon Day - takes place on Wednesday 25th November 2009. Its purpose is to raise awareness of domestic violence and to state publicly that domestic violence, in all its guises, is not acceptable.
White Ribbon Day

16/11/2009
Minimum tariff for murder by knife

The Justice Secretary has raised the minimum tariff for murderers who use a knife from 15 to 25 years. The issue was raised by the family of Ben Kinsella following the sentencing of his murderers in June 2009. Mr Straw told the House of Commons the changes would be discussed in Parliament before Christmas.
Ministry of Justice

10/11/2009
Redefining justice: addressing the individual needs of victims and witnesses

‘Redefining Justice’ is an independent study by Victims’ Champion Sara Payne of how frontline services meet the needs of victims and witnesses.
Download ‘Redefining Justice’.

2/11/2009
Fireworks information from GOL

The London Anti-social Behaviour Board, in association with partner agencies, have made information available to help tackle anti-social behaviour and increase awareness of firework safety.
Government Office for London Firework safety pages

28/10/2009
Halloween Advice

Young people are being encouraged to visit www.2smart.co.uk to find out more about how trick or treating can intimidate some members of the community. The website also includes Halloween Advice for householders and shopkeepers.

21/10/09
e-campaigning website

Louder.org.uk is a free and easy to use website that draws together a range of online activist tools, enabling you to create and run your own campaigns and connect with others. Campaigners of all levels – from international NGOs to individual grassroots activists – will be able to access a range of free online activist tools, practical guides and resources to support and run campaigns.

19/10/09
UK Youth Parliament

On Friday 30th October 2009, elected Members of the UK Youth Parliament will make history when they sit on the green benches in the House of Commons and debate the issues that matter to young people from across the UK.

Over the course of the summer young people submitted their ideas for issues that they wanted to hear debated.  Young people elected in each region and nation came together to condense the array of issues into 22 simple statements that would encompass the majority of the views. Hundreds of young people from across the UK then voted for the top 5. These issues will be announced shortly on the UK Youth Parliament website.

12/10/09
How to Create Flourishing Young People Seminar

The National Youth Agency is hosting a lunchtime seminar on 2nd November 2009. Resilient & Resourceful - How to Create Flourishing Young People! will aim to demonstrate how recent research into positive psychology and evidence-based coaching can be applied within, and add value to, existing youth service strategies aimed at developing positive activities and life chances for young people. To book a place please contact Lyndsay White at the National Youth Agency.

8/10/09
Time for Action
Equipping Young People for the Future and Preventing Violence

Time for Action, published in November 2008, set out the Mayor’s vision for a programme of action for equipping young people for the future and preventing violence.

The Time for Action webpage now includes updates to the initial report, along with responses to the consultation.

5/10/09
Inside Justice Week

Local Criminal Justice Boards will host events across England and Wales during Inside Justice Week (17th - 24th October 2009). Previous years' events have been mock trials, tours of courtrooms and police stations.

London events include London Family Court Open Day's in Brent, Croydon, Richmond & Stratford on Saturday 10th October 2009, plus "Prison! Me! No Way!" in Beckenham on Wednesday 14th October and the Inside Justice Week Quiz 20th - 24th October 2009 in Brent.

For further details, visit the Inside Justice Week website.

5/10/09
BME Youth4Change Seminar

Date: Friday 9th October 2009
Venue: Lighthouse West London, 111-117 Lancaster Road, London W11 1QT
Time: 12.30 - 4.30pm
Cost: Free, but spaces are limited

This is the first in a series of events targeting BME youth through the engagement and leadership programme The Asian Health Agency runs across London to bring together policy makers, political and civic institutions, voluntary organisations, and public institutions to discuss how to improve BME youth involvement in political, democratic processes and civic engagement.

For further details and a copy of the booking form, please contact The Asian Health Agency via email or by telephone on 020 8571 5038.

5/10/09
Waltham Forest - Mosques and Young People

A short piece of research was done in the London Borough of Waltham Forest in early 2009 on the relationship between mosques and young people in Waltham Forest.

Please click here to view the research in full.

For more infomation please contact Fatima Khan.

2/10/09
Trident “Drop the Gun” Campaign

Young women are being warned about the grave consequences of storing and transporting guns for others in a hard-hitting advertising campaign unveiled by Trident, the Metropolitan Police's anti-shooting unit.

Under the strap line "Hide his gun and you help commit the crime" the campaign features radio, cinema and billboard advertisements aimed at 15 to 19 year old young women of African and African Caribbean heritage.

The four week long campaign - which will target the six priority boroughs of Brent, Hackney, Haringey, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark - is a response to a recent rise in the number of young women being arrested and convicted for possessing weapons.

For more information about Trident or to download images and radio advertisements from this year's Trident campaign, please visit www.droptheweapons.org.

24/09/09
Ministry of Justice announces review of Youth Justice Board (YJB)

The Ministry of Justice and the Department for Children, Schools and Families have announced that there will be a review of the YJB’s governance and operating arrangements. The review will examine whether the YJB has the most appropriate powers, accountabilities and capacity to meet its statutory functions and deliver government priorities on youth justice. The possibility of linking up with other parts of the public sector, voluntary and community and private sectors will also be explored.

To inform the work of the review there is a call for evidence from interested parties.  The deadlines for comments is 11th November 2009.

17/9/09
Communities Disproportionally Affected by Crime Training

The training is aimed at community and voluntary groups working with groups and communities that are disproportionately affected by crime including BMER, LGBT, Faith groups, women’s groups, and young people’s groups.

Please visit the CSAS training page for further information.

9/09/09
Transition to Adulthood Consultation

The Transition to Adulthood (T2A) are seeking responses to the recommendations outlined in ‘A New Start: Young Adults in the Criminal Justice System’  from young adults, practitioners, voluntary and community organisations, policy-makers and others who wish to contribute. Consultation responses will be collated and contribute to the final set of policy recommendations to be published by the T2A Alliance in Autumn 2009.

The consultation will close on Friday 9th October 2009.

Further details and an online questionnaire can be found at the Transition to Adulthood website, or by emailing info@t2a.org.uk.

7/9/09
Community Engagement Programme (CEP) - one day conference

Date: Saturday October 3rd 2009
Time: 10am – 3: 00pm
Venue: City Hall
Cost: Free (Lunch provided)

The CEP conference aims to provide support and information to Panels and Community Police Engagement Groups to assist them to carry out their monitoring and scrutiny roles more effectively.

The Conference will be an opportunity to

•  learn more about your role within Safer Neighbourhoods and effective community engagement (including youth) 
• share best practice
•  network
  

The day will be split between invited guest speakers and workshops.  You are advised to book early as places are limited.  For more information or to book your place at this conference, please contact Billy Cotsis at the Safer London Foundation E: billycotsis@saferlondonfoundation.org T: 020 7202 8516.

4/9/09
London Youth Training Courses

London Youth are running three short courses over the next few months:

Safeguarding & Child Protection - Thursday 22nd October 2009
10am - 4pm Euston
Introduction to Youth Work - Tuesday 10th and Tuesday 17th November 2009
10am - 4pm - Holborn
Governance and Management - Monday 14th December 2009
6-9pm Euston

London Youth's short training course starts from £84 per person to London Youth affiliated clubs and the cost varies according to your type of organisation.

For further details of the courses, and to request a booking form, please email beverley.stephney@londonyouth.org.uk or telephone 020 7549 8806.

London Youth's new training programme for 2009/10 will be available from mid September. Visit the London Youth website for further details.

2/9/09
CSV Make a Difference Day

CSV "Make a Difference Day", which is held on October 31st 2009, is the UK's biggest annual day of volunteering.

Visit the Make a Difference Day website to download the campaign handbook, claim a free action pack or find out how to take part.

26/8/09
Community Crime Fighters Awards

The Community Crime Fighter Awards are part of the ‘Justice Seen, Justice Done’ programme, and are designed to recognise exceptional people who have tackled anti-social behaviour, neighbourhood crime or who have supported others who have needed their help.

Nominations are now open and winners will receive £10,000 to invest in a local community project.

The deadline for nominations is Friday 25th September 2009. For more details and to nominate go to www.communitycrimefighters.org.uk.

24/8/09
London Week Of Peace Awards 2009

The Peace Alliance and the Week of Peace are now accepting nominations for this years London Week of Peace Awards. The awards are a celebration and recognition of individuals and organisations who have positively contributed to the peace and safety of London.

Please download the Awards Form to view this years categories and to make your nomination. All nominations must be received by 7th September 2009.

This year the London Week of Peace Awards and Fundraising Dinner will be held on Wednesday 23rd September 2009 at the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel, Holborn. Further information and a booking form for the Awards and Fundraising dinner can be obtained from The Peace Alliance on 020 8808 9439 or by email at info@weekofpeace.org.uk.

11/8/09
Youth Leadership Programme

Gordon Brown has launched The Youth of Today, a major youth leadership programme for young people aged 13 to 19, which aims to increase the quality, quantity and diversity of opportunities for young people as leaders of change in their communities.

Funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, The Youth of Today is led by a consortium of organisations that includes The National Youth Agency, British Youth Council, Changemakers, Citizenship Foundation, The Prince’s Trust, UK Youth Parliament and The Young Foundation.

Work has already begun on several initiatives including a £1m investment in a Youth Leadership Fund, The Youth of Today Fellowship, and a ministerial shadowing programme.

6/8/09
Spirit of London Awards

The Damilola Taylor Trust have developed the Spirit of London awards in consultation with other youth organisations and affiliate partners as a way of celebrating all that is good about the young people of London.  The awards will be open to individuals or groups of young people who work together to make their local communities better places.

The categories for the award include Community Champions (16-25), Young Heroes (5-16), Achievement Through Education and The London Legend Award.

Nominations close on 30th September 2009. To view the full list of awards, or to nominate someone, visit www.spiritoflondonawards.com.

30/7/09
Fear and Fashion Awards 2009

The Fear and Fashion Awards are for outstanding examples of projects or casework that have proved successful in helping young people to stop carrying and using knives - for fear of attack or as a badge of belonging to a group or gang. This work can include:

• Preventative work to raise awareness of the problem among young people and the wider community
• Working with young people convicted of knife-related offences to change attitudes and behaviour
• Using mentoring to provide young people with positive role models
• Reducing conflict in a structured way through mediation
• Helping young people affected by gangs and negative groups
• Engaging with parents of young people who are carrying or using knives
  
  

Entries are invited from police services, local authorities, social landlords, schools, community and voluntary groups, and other organisations working with young people.

Entries for the award can be made on the Fear and Fashion awards website.

The deadline for submitting entries is Friday 14th August 2009, and winners will be announced at the Fear and Fashion conference on 1st October 2009.

28/7/09
Access Funds Grants information website

London Action Trust has recently taken over the Access Funds Grants information website, which was originally set up in 2002 by former LAT employee Parimal Desai, who sadly died in February 2008.

Access Funds provides detailed information on grants from Central Government, National Lottery, and charitable trusts.  Subscribers to the Access Funds website can access the following:

• Information on the latest grant programmes (new information added weekly)
• Detailed guides to getting funding from Charitable Trusts, Lottery Funding, Central Government, Local Government and the EU.
• In-depth directory of funding with links to hundreds of grant programmes
• A monthly Bulletin email, an easy to use monthly round up of funding opportunities sent directly to your computer
• Easy to use search facility, which will help you track down the grant programmes most appropriate for your organisation
• A tailored Email Alert Service, which provides customised grant information sent to subscribers by email
• Access Funds can help you easily search, identify and locate funding to meet your needs
• My Grants – a section where you can easily store information on Grants, so that you can return to the grant details at any time, without having to search for the information again
• Grants Closing Within 6 Weeks – so you can see at-a-glance which grants have deadlines approaching

12 month Subscription prices:
Voluntary/Community Group - £50.00 first member from organisation
Business/Statutory Organisation - £60.00 first member from organisation
Subsequent members from organisations can subscribe for £25.00.

Visit Access Funds to register for a free 7-day trial. The tailored email alert service is not available as part of the free 7-day trial.

27/07/09
London Child Poverty Awards

The Child Poverty Awards 2009 are being launched to celebrate people doing inspirational work to support families across London. Taking part is a fantastic way of recognising and promoting the good work being done by both individuals and organisations.

There are six different awards:

Awards for Organisations - Superb Service, Exemplary Employer & Corporate Commitment

Awards for Individuals - Outstanding Practitioner, Inspirational Parent & Child Poverty Champion

Winners will be invited to a special awards ceremony to receive their awards, and their achievements will be publicised to motivate others to contribute to the fight against child poverty.

If you would like to submit a nomination either for your own organisation or on behalf of someone else, please visit the Child Poverty Awards 2009 website or telephone 020 7340 7622.  Nominations must be received by 5th October 2009.

27/07/09
British Crime Survey 2008/09

The latest National Statistics on crime in England and Wales have now been released. They are based on results from the British Crime Survey and crimes recorded by the police for the financial year 2008/09.

Figures show that the recession has so far had a less than expected impact on the underlying crime rate, although domestic burglary has risen by 1% in the past year, fraud – including credit card and online fraud – has risen by 5% and shoplifting has increased by 10%.

Murders in England and Wales have fallen to their lowest level for 20 years, with 648 homicides were recorded in 2008/09 – 136 fewer than the year before.

The overall crime rate in England and Wales in the 12 months to March 2009 is officially declared to have remained stable .

To read the findings in full, visit the Home Office website: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/whatsnew1.html.

24/07/09
The Una Padel Award 2009

Nominations are invited in support of those people or organisations you feel have made, or show the potential for making, a real contribution to helping improve the lives of offenders, victims, families and communities.

Who can nominate?
You can nominate an individual or organisation working within the criminal justice field, including charities and community groups, prisons, probation and police.

Closing date: 3rd November 2009

For more info. and to download a nomination form visit the Centre for Crime and Justice Centre website: www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/unapadelward2009.html.

24/07/09
Consultation – revised Compact

The Commission for the Compact is seeking comments on a revised draft of the national Compact. The ‘refreshed’ version is intended to bring the Compact up-to-date with the changes in law, policy and practice that have occurred since the Compact was established.

What is the Compact?

Compacts are partnership agreements between statutory bodies and the voluntary and community sector designed to promote effective joint working. They provide a framework within which the public and third sector organisations can understand what to expect from each other.

The Compact provides a way of supporting the development of the third sector's capacity so that local community groups can do more to meet both their aims and those of their public sector partners.

The National Compact (between central government and the voluntary and community sector) was launched in 1998.

Deadline: 12 October 2009

Download the consultation document from the Cabinet Office website.

22/07/09
The Philip Lawrence Awards 2009

The national scheme recognises groups that are making a real contribution to their local community and the lives of others; and groups that promote respect and understanding of faiths, culture and communities internationally. The focus is on exemplary activities – examples of young people working together, promoting citizenship and overcoming the difficult situations some young people face.

The Awards were set up in memory of head teacher Philip Lawrence, who was killed in December 1995. Philip Lawrence inspired many young people, and the Awards commemorate his deeply held conviction that all young people are capable
of achieving great things.

Nominations for the 2009 Awards are now open.

Closing date: 28th September 2009

For more information including how to make a nomination, please visit www.philiplawrenceawards.net.

20/07/09
Policing London Business Plan

The Metropolitan Police Authority have started the public consultation to inform the Policing London Business Plan. The questionnaire is available online at www.mpa.gov.uk/publications/policingplans.

A paper copy (in a variety of font sizes) or a call back to carry out the survey by telephone, can be requested by calling 020 7202 0063 or 020 7202 0173 (minicom) and leaving your name and contact details.

The consultation closes on 30th November 2009.

9/07/09
Funding for prevention work on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

City Parochial Foundation (CPF), Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (EF) and Rosa (the UK’s Women’s Fund), are collaborating to establish a new UK-wide Special Initiative to fund community-based, preventive work to safeguard children from the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in all its forms.

Deadline for applications: 24 July 2009

For more information on how to apply and full eligibility criteria visit the Grants section of the Rosa website:
www.rosauk.org

For general enquiries organisations working in London should contact Sioned 
T: 020 7606 6145 or E: schurchill@cityparochial.org.uk

8/07/09
Community Cashback scheme

Community Cashback is a new scheme in England and Wales which gives local people a say in how £4million of recovered criminal assets (for example confiscated cash or property) should be spent in their communities.

You can suggest a project you would like to see happening in your area. If you don't have a project to suggest, you can have your say on a project suggested by someone else in your community.

What type of project can be nominated?

As long as the basic criteria are met, there are no real restrictions on the type of projects that can be put forward. Suggested areas include crime reduction and community safety, support for victims of crime, restoration and renovation projects, new spaces or activities, better information about justice outcomes, and getting communities involved.

To submit a project, or to "have your say" on a project, visit the Community Cashback website.

3/07/09
Forced Marriage Unit publishes new guidelines

The Forced Marriage Unit has published a revised set of guidelines for frontline professionals (such as teachers, police officers, social and health care professionals, housing officers) to help them to work more closely together and better identify and protect children and adults at risk of forced marriage.

Download a copy of the new guidelines at the Forced Marriage Unit website.

3/07/09
CSV Make a Difference Day 2009

CSV Make a Difference Day is the UK's largest day of volunteering.  The campaign takes place on 31st October 2009, with activities from 24th October to 7th November 2009.

Registrations will open in July. To request the Handbook or for more information, please email CSV at difference@csv.org.uk or call them on 0800 284 533.   Further details, plus action packs and handbooks, can be found on the Make a Difference Day website.

30/6/09
Supporting third sector work with offenders

Date: 15th July 2009
Venue: NCVO Offices London

This half day seminar offers the opportunity to network, learn from and interact with ex-offenders, volunteers working with offenders, successful VCS projects getting ex-offenders into voluntary roles and expert updates on the criminal justice system and offending in the UK.

Jointly offered by NAVCA and Clinks, the cost is £20 (inc VAT) and includes a networking lunch.

Please visit NAVCA events page for further information (including a booking form).

29/6/09
Home Secretary to tackle antisocial behaviour as top priority

In his first interview since taking over the job, the new Home Secretary Alan Johnson told The Times that the degradation to people’s quality of life caused by bad behaviour was a big issue that the Government needed to tackle.

The full article can be read online on The Times website.

25/6/09
The Victims Fund 2009/10 - Hate Crime Funding

Financial assistance is available for third sector organisations in England and Wales to deliver services and support to hate crime victims.

As part of the Victims Fund, the Home Office is providing a dedicated strand - Supporting Victims of Hate Crime - for third sector organisations across England and Wales to develop and deliver services that benefit hate crime victims.

Grants are on offer to carry out work that provides direct support services that help victims of hate crime in their recovery, such as advocacy, support groups, counselling, therapy, help-lines, survivor conferences, websites and one-off capital refurbishment projects.

Applications must be made by 9th July 2009. Further details, including eligibility criteria and an application form, can be viewed on the Home Office Victims Fund page.

24/6/09
"What is crime?" Exhibition

An exhibition of Photography that asks the question ‘What is crime?’ is launched on 4th July 2009 2-6pm.

The exhibition runs from 6th July – 21st August 2009  at 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning, 198 Railton Road, SE24 OJT. The gallery is open Monday to Friday, 11 am to 5 pm.  Admission is free.

‘Too often the media focuses on the harms and crimes of those who have relatively little power in society. This exhibition will broaden our view of who is affected by the financial crisis, environmental harms and different forms of violence.'  Ken Loach

Violent events caused by businesses and the state; hidden violence against women, children and the elderly; the way in which poverty hurts, injures, and kills; the impact of environmental pollution, the images in this exhibition reflect concerns that rarely attract the same level of political and public concern as `conventional' crime.

Organised by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies in collaboration with 198, and supported by The Wates Foundation and The Independent, this exhibition presents entries to the “What is crime?” competition.

Contact information: tel: 020 7978 8309, e-mail info@198.org.uk.   Travel directions: www.198.org.uk/pages/map.htm.

17/6/09
Home Affairs Committee Knife Crime Report

The House of Commons Home Affairs Committee launched a report titled "Knife Crime - Seventh Report of Session 2008–09" on June 2nd 2009.

The report is viewable in a browsable web based version (part 1 & part 2) and as a downloadable PDF (part 1 & part 2). 

16/6/09
London Mayor launches ‘The Way Forward : A call for action to end violence against women’

"The Way Forward" sets out the Mayor’s vision for a programme of action to tackle violence against women. The strategy consists of five key strands that will seek to reduce the incidence of, improve the criminal justice response to, challenge public attitudes towards and improve the response to victims:

1. London taking a global lead to end violence against women
2. Improving access to support
3. Addressing the health, social and economic consequences of violence
4. Protecting women at risk
5. Getting tough with perpetrators

The Mayor is seeking the views of Londoners, community organisations, practitioners, the voluntary sector and the statutory sector. In particular, your comments are sought on the five inter-linking objectives and how these can be further developed and implemented. The views and feedback received will be used to devise the final strategy - due to be published in autumn 2009.

Closing date: 20th July 2009

To participate in the consultation process please visit the consultation website at:
www.london.gov.uk/mayor/crime/vaw

10/6/09
London’s BAME Third Sector: Managing the Economic Downturn Event
Tuesday 30th June 2009: 09:30 – 4.30pm

The event will be an opportunity for funders, decisions makers, policy makers, BAME infrastructure organisations and mainstream infrastructure bodies to come together to hear and discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by the recession. Further details, and a link to the MiNet website for booking, can be viewed here.

The London Week of Peace, which takes place 20th-27th September 2009, is an annual week of high profile events, initiatives and action organised principally by communities and individuals but also engaging organisations, businesses and public agencies, to promote greater community cohesion, safety and peace across the capital.

The theme for 2009 is Unity.

There are many ways to take part. You can organise or sponsor an event. You may wish to take part in one of the key events or one of the many borough events taking place in London during 20th - 27th September 2009.

To find out how you can get involved please visit www.weekofpeace.org.uk or email info@weekofpeace.org.uk.

4/6/09
Safe from Bullying – new guidance from Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has launched Safe from Bullying, a suite of guidance setting out how different local services can work together to prevent and respond to bullying. It includes guidance for local authorities and other strategic leaders as well as specific documents for practitioners working in further education colleges, play and leisure provision, youth activities, children’s homes, and extended services. The guidance documents are supported by a set of training resources.

For more information visit the DCSF website.

28/5/09
Ethnicity, harm and crime – public seminar and discussion

Monday 22nd June 2009, 3.30 - 5.30 pm at King’s College London

The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies is running a public seminar and discussion, that was initiated at a seminar last year about the relationship between ethnicity, harm and crime. Last year's seminar debated a draft paper, Ethnicity, harm and crime: a discussion paper, written by Rebecca Roberts and Will McMahon from the Centre.

This follow-up event will be an opportunity to debate the original paper and the written responses by Dr James Nazroo, Professor Danny Dorling and Dr Lucinda Platt submitted after the seminar. The original draft and the three responses can be found here.

The first seminar was attended by a mainly academic audience, so the centre is keen on this occasion to engage with an audience of practitioners, advocates and academics interested in the themes discussed by the paper.

If you would like to get involved in the discussion by writing a response to the draft paper and the initial responses to it then that would be welcome. Please e-mail your contribution to will.mcmahon@kcl.ac.uk. The Centre will produce a web publication with contributions received prior to the seminar. The deadline for inclusion is June 15th 2009.

The Centre is considering how to take this discussion forward, either through a special issue of their magazine, Criminal Justice Matters, or a broader conference in 2010. They hope the public seminar will help them engage with a broader layer of opinion on the issues raised and help shape their response as a result.

If you would like to attend the seminar then please e-mail tammy.mcgloughlin@kcl.ac.uk.

17/04/09
Allotment Learning Project – London Action Trust

London Action Trust has funding from the Big Lottery to run a three year family allotment learning project for offenders and their children. It's a fantastic chance for families to have their own space to work together to grow produce which is for their consumption. There will be free horticultural training and the option to gain a nationally recognised qualification in horticulture. Each family will be supported by a trained and experienced family mentor and an allotment volunteer.

All seeds and tools are provided and travel expenses reimbursed. We have some super allotments in Sutton, Lewisham, Barnet and Enfield. We are now accepting client referrals for the project and also for allotment volunteers who would like to help support, encourage and inspire our clients.

To make a referral or for more information regarding the project please contact Andrea Dawson or Pia Cammarata at London Action Trust on 020 7793 0842.

15/04/09
CSAS ASB Network and training events

Anti-social behaviour and Community Problem Solving
Tuesday 5th May 2009 at The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, SE1
This free training is open to voluntary organisations and community groups only.
Places are limited to one delegate per organisation / group and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Using Restorative processes to effectively challenge anti-social behaviour
Monday 1st June 2009 at The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, SE1
This free training is open to voluntary organisations and community groups only.
Places are limited to one delegate per organisation / group and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

For further details of both training events, and to download a booking form, please visit the CSAS Networks and events page.

9/04/09
Capital Clean-up

The 2009 Capital Clean-up Campaign runs from 27th April – 5th June 2009.

The aim of the Capital Clean-up Campaign is to create a cleaner London through local action. Londoners are encouraged to get involved in the campaign by making improvements to the local environment, leading to a long term sense of ownership and pride in the area, from which we all benefit. The campaign cuts right across the cleaner, safer, greener agenda providing opportunities for all Londoners to get involved.

A fortnightly Capital Clean-up e-bulletin will be sent to all participating organisations and will provide regular updates on the activities taking place during the campaign. Organisations will be welcome to contribute to the e-bulletin through articles or press releases. To subscribe to the Capital Clean-up e-bulletin, please send an email to capitalcleanup@encams.org.

For further details and news of events, please visit the Capital Clean-up website.

8/04/09
UK youth Parliament – Battle of the Campaigns 2009

UK Youth Parliament is inviting young people aged 11-18 to cast their vote to help decide on three major youth campaigns for 2009.

There are 14 campaigns to choose from including:

• To improve the image of young people through the media and other community projects
• To eradicate child poverty in the UK
• To reduce teen pregnancy rates and raise awareness of sexual health & relationships from a young age

The first round of voting starts on 20th April 2009 and will last for one week, after which the top six most popular campaigns will be debated and voted on by Members of the Youth Parliament (MYPs). The top three will then become official UK Youth Parliament campaigns.

Young people can register to vote on the UKYP website.

6/04/09
Restorative Justice Consortium Spring Conference - Social Change and RJ – how Non-violent Communication contributes

Date: Monday 20th April 2009
Time: 10.45am - 4.15pm
Venue: The Pierian Centre, 27 Portland Square, St. Paul’s, Bristol, BS2 8SA
Tickets: £25 for RJC members and £50 for non-members and supporters

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) offers a way of relating to others and ourselves in the present moment, rather than letting the past dictate our present.

The conference will explore the contribution of Nonviolent Communication to social change and Restorative Justice. It will seek to explore how NVC can help us: 

• be more fluent in the needs and feelings of others, and achieve more effective outcomes
• find meaningful answers to the questions “Why me?” and “How could you do that?” 
• create possibilities for change in criminal and confrontational behaviour by opening up unmet needs
• encourage others to cooperate, without the use of coercion or manipulation
• understand our intentions when we use force e.g. to protect or to punish
• create a justice system based on respect and understanding rather than power and fear
• develop restorative conversations enabling social agendas to be addressed and generating safer communities
  
  

This is an opportunity to experience for yourself how Nonviolent Communication can help people better connect with each other in deep and authentic ways.

Presenters are experts in the above fields and include: Paul Crosland - RJC (Founder of Mediation Support & Freelender.org), Maria Arpa - Centre for Peaceful Solutions and Paul Baker - Independent conflict consultant, practitioner & therapist.

For information and booking please contact Gemma on 020 7653 1992, or email admin@restorativejustice.org.uk.

24/03/09
The First Annual National Victims of Violent Crime Service

Date:    Saturday 4th April at 3.00pm (please be seated by 2.45pm)
Venue: Westminster Abbey, London, SW1A 3PA

The Peace Alliance and Westminster Abbey are holding Evensong on the anniversary of the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. and the service will commemorate those who have lost their lives through violent crime across the nation.

Following Evensong there will be a wreath-laying ceremony for victims' families at the Innocent Victims' Memorial outside the Abbey.

If you are able to attend please RSVP by email to thepeaceoffice@yahoo.co.uk or telephone the Peace Alliance on 020 8808 9439.

24/03/09
Government announces revised CONTEST strategy

On 24th March the Government launched its revised CONTEST strategy - the UK’s Strategy for Countering International Terrorism. The aim of the strategy is ‘to reduce the risk to the UK and its interests overseas from international terrorism, so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence’.

The revised strategy reflects the lessons learned since the original CONTEST strategy launched in 2003. The document begins with an executive summary which is intended to highlight the main themes of the document.

For more information visit the Home Officer website: http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk, or click here to be taken directly to the CONTEST strategy page.

24/03/09
NEPACS - The Isolated Prisoner: Challenging the Void
Date:    Wednesday 22nd April
Venue: St Aidan's College, Durham City
Cost:    Statutory Rate: £140 + VAT per person Individual & Charity Rate: £90 + VAT per person

This conference explores how the estimated 40% of prisoners without family or friends can be better supported and prepared for resettlement. The issues raised will be relevant to criminal justice agencies as well as academics and befriending and support organisations. An opportunity to hear from respected academics and practitioners, the event will showcase best practice from across Britain.

For more information and booking, please email conference@nepacs.co.uk or visit the Nepacs website.

23/03/09
MAMAA - First ‘Identifying Victims Needs, Promoting Positive Practice’ Conference

Date: 20th April 2009
Venue: Congress Hall, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS
Time: 9.30am – 4.45pm (registration 8.30-9.30am)
Cost: Statutory sector: £225 per delegate. Third Sector: £200 per delegate
*Some bursaries are available for Third Sector delegates – please contact MAMAA for more information.

This major one-day national conference, hosted by MAMAA provides a timely opportunity for local practitioners to assess their role in victim care. Delegates will consider not only how best to support victims, but whether victim empathy should be used with better effect to reduce the levels of violent crime we are currently experiencing.

Aims of the conference:

• Promote Positive Practice when working with victims
• Encourage shared experience to identify best practice
• Highlight the need for multi-agency approach
  

There will also be a presentation recognising those already applying best practice, nominated by victims they have worked with.

How to Book: Request a booking form by email: mamaaukconference@live.co.uk.  Alternatively, telephone Leanne Silvester on 020 8327 0868 or mobile 07873 423674.

13/03/09
Metropolitan Police Authority  Website

The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) has a new look website. Work on the existing site was carried out after consultation with stakeholders, members and MPA staff to find out how the site could be made as user friendly as possible.

Visit the MPA website for the latest news including information on the current MPA Race and Faith Enquiry. The MPA are able to supply translations of key documents in the following languages: Bengali, Chinese, French, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. www.mpa.gov.uk

Home Office – Youth Sector Development Fund (YSDF)– Third round – reaching young people most likely to be affected by knife crime.

The third round is aimed at Third Sector Organisations (TSOs) who have the potential to develop existing work that has successfully diverted vulnerable young people away from violence. Through this round, YSDF will fund 3 or 4 TSOs with a proven track record of successfully engaging with at-risk youth, for example through intensive one-to-one or group interventions. The work should target young people that fall outside current mainstream provisions. The Home Office is particularly interested in proposals from organisations that are working to establish best practice.

Grant available: approx £100k

Applicants should clearly demonstrate how proposals complement relevant existing local, regional and national initiatives as set out in Children and Young Peoples Plans, Local / Multi Area Agreements and as part of Youth Matters and Every Child Matters reforms and specifically consider how their proposals contribute to the Home Office’s PSA 23 – Making Communities Safer.

Please note: Replacement funding for existing provision or core costs is not eligible, neither is capital expenditure (eg building works).

Eligibility

Only applications from the 13 Tackling Knives Action Programme Police Force (TKAP) areas will be considered – the Metropolitan is included. In addition, TSOs must meet all of the following criteria:

• Have been established before 1 January 2006 and be able to demonstrate that
  they are financially robust,
• Have an evidenced track record of success in engaging and working with vulnerable young people (particularly teenage boys 13-19 who are at risk of becoming involved in knife or gang crime) and delivering measurable outcomes,
• Ability to expand or duplicate work that has a demonstrable impact on reducing youth violence, such as gangs or knife-related crime, in one of the TKAP areas
• Have support by means of a letter of endorsement from a specified authority (Police, Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, Youth Offending Team, Local Authority Community Safety Team) recognising the impact of the organisation and support for the proposal,
• Clear potential to build business capacity by addressing identified organisational development needs
• This round of YSDF will specifically develop individual TSOs. Consortia or partnership bids with delivery of positive activities spread across a number of organisations are not eligible for this round.

Application process:

Submit hard and electronic copies of the completed application form with supporting documentation by:
Noon, Thursday 5th March 2009

To reach full eligibility criteria and application form go to: http://ysdf.ecotec.com/downloads/Home_Office_YSDF

03/02/09

Richard Taylor, father of Damilola Taylor was yesterday given the role of Government special envoy on youth violence and knife crime. Richard Taylor will work with other victims’ families to identify ways of changing young people’s behaviour and attitudes. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “Since the tragic death of his son in 2000, Richard has worked tirelessly to end the senseless violence that has ruined so many young lives, families and neighbourhoods.”

New Safeguarding Unit for the Third Sector

A new Unit, jointly managed by the NSPCC and Children England has been set up to provide advice to third sector organisations on safeguarding children and young people

For more information visit: www.childrenengland.org.uk

A Good Childhood – new report by The Children’s Society

A new report by The Children’s Society - a charity allied to the Church of England, has blamed the problems of young people on “excessive individualism” among adults, to which the report attributes high rates of family break-up, unhealthy competition in schools, unprincipled advertising and acceptance of income inequality that leaves millions of children in poverty.

The report made a number of recommendations to Government including:

-Introduction of non-religious, free civil birth ceremonies
-Free parenting classes and more psychological support
-Higher pay and status for everyone working with children
-A ban on building on sports fields and open spaces where children play
-A ban on advertising aimed at children under 12

To read the report in full go to: www.childrenssociety.org.uk

30/01/09
New Metropolitan Police Commissioner – Sir Paul Stephenson

Sir Paul Stephenson, 55, has been acting commissioner of the Metropolitan Police since the beginning of December following the resignation of Sir Ian Blair.

Stephenson joined Lancashire constabulary in 1975 and in 1988 was promoted to superintendent. During the course of his career, he joined Northern Ireland's Royal Ulster Constabulary during the Troubles, became assistant chief constable at Merseyside police and in the summer of 2002 became chief constable of Lancashire before leaving in March 2005 to become deputy commissioner of the Met.

Stephenson was awarded the Queen's Policing Medal for services to policing in May 2000 and he received a knighthood in the Queens Birthday Honours List of June 2008.

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