Since January, Waltham Forest LBC - with 100% support from the local police - has been running an innovative gangs-prevention project to help young people stay away from violent lifestyles, and come down hard on the real villains who try and take over their lives.

While this largely involves offering long-term solutions to those most at risk, we knew full well that the work would require the expertise of the local community if information was to be shared, resilience built, and residents encouraged to reclaim their neighbourhoods.