Theresa May visited Waltham Forest yesterday to hear how the borough is dealing with gangs.

The Home Secretary visited The National Skills Academy in Hollydown Way, Leytonstone, where several ex-gang members are being taught construction skills.

Along with MPs Iain Duncan-Smith and Stella Creasy, council leader Chris Robbins, cabinet member for community safety and cohesion Liaquat Ali, and acting borough commander Pippa Mills, the Home Secretary was briefed on the ‘education to employment’ programme and recent successes of enforcement operations.

In attendance from Waltham Forest were employability specialists for gang members, representatives from Waltham Forest’s gang programme Enough is Enough and members of Gangs Unite, a programme aiming to engage those at risk of anti-social behaviour in more positive activities.