No murders in London within 10 years, pledges Green Party mayoral candidate

Sian Berry said she would fund schemes as mayor to ensure violence in the capital ‘simply cannot thrive’
Sian Berry said she will expand Mr Khan’s Violent Reduction Unit to fight crime
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The Green Party candidate for mayor of London has promised to eradicate all murders in the capital within a decade if she is elected.

Sian Berry told the BBC she will create an environment where violence “simply cannot thrive” as part of her target of zero murder each year.

“Don't let anyone tell you it can't be done,” she said. “Everyone affected by murder and violent crime deserves justice, but it would be far better to have prevented the violence in the first place.

“I'll fund the schemes which create an environment where violence simply cannot thrive.

“I'll divert people away from violence before it happens and I'll protect potential victims, rather than sending in the police once the damage is done.”

Last year, there were 127 killings in the capital, despite the coronavirus pandemic.

London has exceeded 100 killing per year for six years running now, prompting criticism of the current mayor Sadiq Khan’s strategy to tackle violent crime in the city.

But Ms Berry said she will expand Mr Khan’s Violent Reduction Unit (VRU) to fight the problem, as well as increasing funding for youth services and early intervention schemes.

Other proposals included expanding the Young Londoner's Fund, which financailly supports youth schemes, and making psychologists and trauma experts available for police interviews of witnesses and victims of crime.

A London Labour spokesman responded to the BBC, saying: “Sadiq is tackling violence by being both tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime.

“He's put more than 1,000 extra officers on the streets, invested in creating positive opportunities for young Londoners."

Meanwhile, the Conservative candidate Shaun Bailey said he is using his experience as a youth worker to make streets safer, while Liberal Democrat Luisa Porritt has committed to end stop-and-search to increase trust between police and communities.

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