School Sports Answer to Gang Violence, Says MP; CRIME Return of Team Sports Could Tackle Rise in Violent Crime

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Byline: JONATHAN WALKER Political Editor

School sports teams should make a comeback to help cut gang violence, according to a Birmingham MP.

Khalid Mahmood (Lab Perry Barr) called for the return of school football, rugby and cricket teams, as an inquiry warned official figures failed to show the true level of violent crime. Annual crime statistics showed the number of violent incidents recorded by police had fallen by seven per cent in the past 12months, from255,000incidents a year across the country to 237,000 incidents a year.

But incidents of the most serious violent crimes, such as homicide, attempted murder and grievous bodily harm with intent to kill, …