Politicians are "leaving black youths to die" by cutting funding to community groups, an independent adviser to the Home Office has said.
Politicians are "leaving black youths to die" by cutting funding to community groups, an independent adviser to the Home Office has said.
Dr Derrick Campbell's comments follow the violent deaths of three young men within 24 hours in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and London.
Dr Derrick Campbell's comments follow the violent deaths of three young men within 24 hours in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and London.
Dr Campbell told the BBC that funds earmarked for community cohesion were not going to the right organisations.
Dr Campbell told the BBC that funds earmarked for community cohesion were not going to the right organisations.
The Home Office said it was committed to tackling gun and knife crime.
The Home Office said it was committed to tackling gun and knife crime.
We have to ask the question whether there seems to be an acceptance that if another black youth is killed they are just another one that we don't have to worry about Dr Derrick Campbell
We have to ask the question whether there seems to be an acceptance that if another black youth is killed they are just another one that we don't have to worry about Dr Derrick Campbell
Dr Campbell, chairman of the National Independent Advisory Group on Criminal Use of Firearms, which advises the Home Office and the security services, said some organisations which were successful in tackling such crime had suddenly had funding cut.
Dr Campbell, chairman of the National Independent Advisory Group on Criminal Use of Firearms, which advises the Home Office and the security services, said some organisations which were successful in tackling such crime had suddenly had funding cut.
"And we have to ask the question whether there seems to be an acceptance that if another black youth is killed they are just another one that we don't have to worry about," he said.
"And we have to ask the question whether there seems to be an acceptance that if another black youth is killed they are just another one that we don't have to worry about," he said.
Dr Campbell went on to say there was hard evidence from community groups in the Birmingham area that their funding was being cut - a situation which he said was reflected nationally.
Dr Campbell went on to say there was hard evidence from community groups in the Birmingham area that their funding was being cut - a situation which he said was reflected nationally.
He claims the government is failing to ensure local councils get the money to the appropriate groups.
He claims the government is failing to ensure local councils get the money to the appropriate groups.
'Serious questions'
'Serious questions'
"Black youths within this country have been left to die. And that's a very strong statement but it's a statement that seems to be borne out through evidence about black youths who seem to be at the top of the list when it comes to our youngsters being killed," he said.
"Black youths within this country have been left to die. And that's a very strong statement but it's a statement that seems to be borne out through evidence about black youths who seem to be at the top of the list when it comes to our youngsters being killed," he said.
"Now we're asking very serious questions of national government and local government as to why it seems that resources that have been allocated for community cohesion and other activities have not been going to those organisations."
"Now we're asking very serious questions of national government and local government as to why it seems that resources that have been allocated for community cohesion and other activities have not been going to those organisations."
It matters profoundly, and it matters in every single instance whether the individual is black or white Home Office minister Tony McNulty
Dr Campbell spoke out after the fatal shooting of Dimitri Foskin, 24, in the Newtown area of Birmingham on Saturday night and the deaths of a 21-year-old man in Wolverhampton and an 18-year-old man in Walthamstow, London, in stabbings early on Sunday morning.
Dr Campbell spoke out after the fatal shooting of Dimitri Foskin, 24, in the Newtown area of Birmingham on Saturday night and the deaths of a 21-year-old man in Wolverhampton and an 18-year-old man in Walthamstow, London, in stabbings early on Sunday morning.
Responding to Dr Campbell's comments, a Home Office spokesman said: "The government is committed to tackling gun, gang and knife crime and getting weapons off our streets.
Home Office minister Tony McNulty rejected Dr Campbell's accusations.
"In July we launched the £100m Youth Crime Action Plan which sets out a comprehensive package of tough enforcement and intensive prevention measures as well as more support for parents to tackle offending and reduce reoffending."
"Frankly what Derrick says is an insult to black groups and other community groups up and down the country who are being funded by local and central government and work in this area on a daily and regular basis," he said.
"I do need to knock down the notion that somehow there is a national conspiracy of at best indifference, and at worst active policy, that says somehow the death of young black men on our streets doesn't matter.
"It matters profoundly and it matters in every single instance whether the individual is black or white," he added.
A Home Office spokesman said that in July the government had launched a £100m Youth Crime Action Plan which included enforcement and prevention measures as well as support for parents.
Do you agree with Dr Derrick Campbell's views? Is the government doing enough to tackle gun and knife crime?
Do you agree with Dr Derrick Campbell's views? Is the government doing enough to tackle gun and knife crime?
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