There have been several deaths recently of young people in the Somali community in London. What work are you doing with people from this community to reduce these deaths?

My heart goes out to the families, friends and communities who have lost loved ones as a result of violence. Every death as a result of this needless violence is an utter tragedy, and it deprives our city of so much talent. London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) leads an approach to tackling violence that is rooted in prevention and early intervention and is investing and supporting communities to deliver change in their neighbourhoods and estates. I’m proud that in the last year alone the VRU commissioned 126 programmes and projects which is working to support and provide positive opportunities for 80,000 Londoners.

I have also prioritised funding to services that support young people at risk of or affected by violence in other areas of City Hall delivery. I've invested heavily in diversionary activities across London – over 300 projects funded through my Young Londoners Fund - as well as continuing to invest in services that support the most vulnerable young people such as London Gang Exit, Rescue and Response and hospital-based youth work. Many of these provide direct support to Somali young people and their families although the current levels of demographic information collated does not allow us to give specific numbers.

My Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, my Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice and the Director of the London VRU are hosting a roundtable on January 10th to discuss the specific concerns of the Somali community in relation to policing, support for victims and their families, and the criminal justice response.