Lewisham’s Council will take a “public health approach” in response to crime, as violent and knife crime increases across the country.

Lewisham’s newly-elected cabinet member for housing Joani Reid said while crime in Lewisham wasn’t increasing at London-wide rates, it was still a priority for the administration.

“We all know too well about the rise in violent crime across the country – particularly in London. We can take some comfort in statistics which show violent crime in Lewisham has only risen by a tenth of the average in London but I do think that that’s anything to be proud of,” she said.

Lewisham Council would be under pressure from “an unforgiving government and very few resources” with an “embedded distrust of the police from our BAME (black, asian and minority ethnic) communities,” Ms Reid said.

Health and crime were closely linked, with a public health approach meaning a focus on addressing the drivers behind crime, she said.

Both required a strong understanding of the community.

“For anyone who understands the drivers for crime it is of course no surprise that we are seeing the rise in violence crime across the city. If you cut police and cut provision, social housing, youth centres and employment opportunities it is almost inevitable that you see a rise in violent crime,” Ms Reid added.

“If there is one thing we can learn from a public health approach it is that you must understand your community and why people in your community are driven to crime in the first place.

“It’s not just about analysing the data which I am currently doing, councillors play a crucial role in understanding why young people are turning to crime and whether that is being excluded from school, violence in the home or may other factors.

“Drivers for ill health are the same drivers for crime rates and social inequality, mental health provision and systemic injustices also lead to ill health and higher crime rates therefore addressing ill health will also address crime.

The council will also seek funding from The Mayor of London’s £45 million ‘Young Londoners Fund’ to support youth services that turn children

away from crime and provide early interventions, according to Lewisham Labour’s manifesto.