Christians call for Church to combat crime

The vast majority of churchgoers think the church should tackle gun and knife crime, according to findings of a recent survey.

|PIC1|Prayer, mentoring, parenting support and building closer relationships with the police and local crime and disorder partnerships were named as priorities for the church in the Church Consultation on Violent Crime.

The research, carried out by Premier Christian Media in association with the Metropolitan Black Police Association and Hope for London, will be launched in Methodist Central Hall with a press conference on Monday 22 October.

More than 3,240 church members and leaders from across the UK took part - and 89 percent of these felt gun and violent crime was an issue the church should address.

Peter Kerridge, CEO of Premier Christian Radio, said: "This report illustrates the Church has so much to offer in strengthening family life and creating a peaceful society - there are real challenges that emerge - as Christians we can not idly stand by while violence in our streets goes unchecked."

Bevan Powell, Deputy Chair of the Metropolitan Black Police Association, said: "This is a significant report that highlights the willingness of the Church to get involved in finding solutions to violent crime. Reducing violent crime is not just the responsibility for the police, but society in general and the church has an important role to play."

Respondents listed a large number of ways their church contributes to tackling the issue of gun and violent crime, mainly through prayer, youth work, outreach and partnership with other agencies.

In high crime areas, the "Street Pastors" scheme, in which Christians go onto the streets to talk to and work with young people, has gained support from 28 percent of churches.

Fifty-one percent of those surveyed - rising to 67 percent in high violent crime areas - did not think they had enough information on issues of gun and violent crime, while 65 percent felt there was a need for advice on handing guns and knives.

Participants in the survey were full of ideas about how to make their community safe. Eighty-three percent said they thought their churches would be particularly effective if they work in partnership with Christian agencies, while 65 percent thought working in partnership with the police would be particularly effective.

There was also a strong feeling that the Government needs to take a long-term approach to the issue, with strengthening the family unit and society seen as an essential first step in combating violent crime.

Rev Ermal Kirby, joint co-ordinator of Hope for London - a coalition of churches and community groups addressing violent crime in the capital - said they will hold a meeting following the launch to discuss the way in which churches will respond to the recommendations in the report.

Rev Kirby said: "We are grateful for the work undertaken by Premier and the Metropolitan Black Police Association, which gives us a helpful statistical base for further action.

"The survey itself demonstrates that not only is there concern, but there's a willingness to buy in and a commitment to making a difference.

"Hope for London aims to provide a framework to make it possible for churches and organisations to be more co-ordinated - not just in responding to crime, but also in addressing some of the causes of crime."