Stephen Timms, Member of Parliament for East Ham, joined London Citizens at Bignold Hall, Forest Gate – the Home of Gatside Young Leaders Academy – on Saturday 9 June for the launch of CitySafe Zones across Newham. They now have over 200 CitySafe Havens across London and are developing over 20 CitySafe Zones, 4 of these zones will be in Newham, joining Westfield Stratford, the first CitySafe Zone launched in September 2011. Mr Timms was joined at the launch by representatives of both local organisations and the Metropolitan police.

CitySafe’s goal is to encourage local business and organisations to offer their premises as havens to young people seeking safety or advice. CitySafe Zones pledge to report 100% of crime, and organise events that facilitate dialogue between police and young people, led by CitySafe Champions. Their aim is to build stronger communities, neighbourhood organisations and relationships with the police to strengthen CitySafe Zones.

Speaking at the end of the day, Mr Timms said: “The CitySafe programme is an imaginative and effective way to improve the safety of young people on our streets. I hope we shall see more of these ‘havens’ and ‘zones’ becoming operational over the months ahead”