A CHARITY project aiming to raise awareness of violent gang crime involving teenagers has been given the green light by council bosses. Westminster Council bosses have given their approval for youth charity Brathay to undertake the �80,000 project, part-f

A CHARITY project aiming to raise awareness of violent gang crime involving teenagers has been given the green light by council bosses.

Westminster Council bosses have given their approval for youth charity Brathay to undertake the �80,000 project, part-funded by the Home Office, which they hope will get kids out of gangs and reduce re-offending rates.

The scheme, in which the charity will offer a range of training, education and job opportunities to kids to get them out of gangs, was developed after a reported increase in violence among a gang of up to 20 people aged 15 to 24 in Queen's Park.

Cllr Daniel Astaire, member for community safety, said: "Our communities need to be kept safe and the Brathay charity project will help tackle emerging gangs' issues head on."

Council leader, Cllr Colin Barrow said: "These schemes teach our young people important life skills and provide role models for those who may not find them at home."

Youth workers from Brathay, which specialises in tackling gang activity, will work with agencies to raise awareness of gang culture, and will spend time with kids in gangs to help them get out of criminal gang activity.

Julia Wolton, programme coordinator at Brathay, said: "Our aim is to work with young people who have become disengaged with education and generally have a lack of aspiration and motivation, and who may have become involved with gang members, in gang activity, anti-social behaviour or criminal behaviour.

"We're confident that our highly trained team can help make a difference in Queen's Park and ensure we offer gang members a real alternative to a life of crime.