It is a story that unfortunately we are all too familiar with, a teenager is killed by a group of young people, usually boys, usually for nothing more than looking at them in the wrong way. It is May and already 11 teenagers have died at the hands of mindless youths and as more and more of these confrontations occur, the public is rapidly losing faith in the police and the criminal justice services. 

Although the problem is not confined to one area, there has been a noticeable increase in gang violence in and around South East London. I know from very personal experience it is NOT always that the individual is involved with a gang, which leads to many young people finding themselves in a compromising and potentially life threatening situation. My beautiful and intelligent brother-in-law was subject to a vicious attack by a group of youths, while out in Hackney one afternoon, for no other reason than not being a known face in the area?! These young people's loyalty to 'their ends' baffles me, especially when it means they are afraid to venture into other borough's without the protection of their peers.

The latest killing of 16 year old Nick Pearton in Sydenham, was so close to home it really affected me, I cannot believe that those responsible feel nothing at all, no guilt or remorse and I cannot believe that anyone who knows those responsible for these heinous crimes, (parents especially) would try to protect them by keeping quiet or worse still lying about it... This makes them as guilty as the perpetrator of the crime.

The notorious Gipsy Hill 'Gipset' gang were caught on CCTV, earlier this year fighting with another rival gang, in Croydon town centre. The 30 strong battle saw youths brazenly brawling with knives, sticks and even a chair outside of the Whitgift Centre, sending terrified shoppers running for cover. I fear things have become so bad that young people no longer care if they are caught on camera in broad daylight, as they have no respect for the law and no fear of the consequences and this is very frightening for us all and I think it is high time the parents of these children are questioned and held accountable.

On a day when the Telegraph reports our new coalition government has asked the people what laws we would like to see changed, I would like to see parents held accountable for their children's (under 18's) behaviour, as young people who have been raised with a strong moral conscience, do not agree with what is happening and as a result live their lives in a different way, even though they are still a target. If we do not change the way we view the problem, it will continue to get worse and more families will continue to be torn apart by selfish, ignorant and vicious thugs, in the name of the 'gang territory'. 

Do you agree violence among young people is out of control, who do you blame? And if you were given the real chance to change some of the current parliamentary laws, which would you change and why?

Photo: Wikimedia