Iain Duncan Smith met former gang members and vulnerable youths at a community centre to promote positive lifestyles away from violence and crime.

The Conservative MP for Chingford spoke to students during workshops at Gangs Unite on Friday (April 8) in Walthamstow.

Gangs Unite provide high-risk conflict mediation and resolution and mentor young people most at risk of anti-social behaviour and gang culture.

A new Gangs Unite football teams programme is being set up to encourage team work and build up healthier communities for these young people to live in.

The former work and pensions secretary spoke of the similarities between gangs and politics in terms of the importance of respecting each other’s views.

Mr Duncan Smith said: “Programmes like this one have been incredibly effective in preventing young people getting drawn into gangs as well as helping pull gang members out."

Former gang member and managing director, Colin James said: “We value everyone we mentor or work with as family.

“That’s our model and ethos.

“Everyone has something to offer in life, it’s just they have been unexplored and overlooked but they possess an untapped supply of potential.

“It’s our aim at Gangs Unite to help them recognise their worth and value and help them realise those often unspoken an unsupported dreams.”