Lambeth's anti-gang programme to go borough-wide

After initial success in Brixton, a programme which uses peer counselling to steer young people away from gangs is to be rolled out across Lambeth, London.

Launched under the name X-it after the death of 21-year-old Adrian Marriott, who was shot dead by a gang in Brixton in 2004, the programme uses peer counselling and support in conjunction with leadership training and one-to-one therapy to encourage young people to consider changing their lifestyle. Some of the young people who get involved are considered at risk of getting on the wrong side of the law. Many are first time offenders.

Such has been its success that the programme, now 2-XL,  is now being rolled out across the borough, in partnership with the Brathay Hall Trust, an organisation that works with children and young people's services.

Of the 25 young people who took part last year, 18 did not reoffend. The project is part of Lambeth council's Young and Safe action plan, a five-year strategy designed to reduce youth gang activity and violent crime in the borough.

Aftercare is a key part of the 2 XL philosophy and, after the programme has finished, young people remain in regular contact with a dedicated youth worker who can signpost them to other support services (education and training, for example) for a further 18 months.

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