Newham’s mayor spoke of an “epidemic of violence” in London at the Labour Party Conference.

Rokhsana Fiaz addressed audiences at the ACC Liverpool today to discuss housing, participatory democracy, and youth crime.

She listed housing and young people as her two priorities, citing the example of a 14-year-old from Newham who’s mother was struggling to afford food, and who was afraid of her son falling in with the wrong crowd.

“When I met him, he told me three things,” she said.

“He wanted to be heard, he didn’t want to go to prison, and he didn’t want to get killed. His story is not unusual.

“Thousands of children across the country are vulnerable because of poverty, because of marginalisation, and my borough is not different.”

Ms Fiaz branded violence a public health problem, and claimed young people were afraid to walk the streets.

“in my conversations with young people from across my borough, they talk about their fear of violence,” she said.

“They’re scared of being on the streets. They have become used to and they accept violence.

“I will not allow this to continue in Newham, and I will be working with the mayor of London to ensure that all of our young people are safe.”