One long-term solution to the frightening growth of weapon-driven youth gangland incidents in our community is to have the state and local councils support strong family networks.

It is entirely perverse that the current social housing allocation system will often send children and grand children to live miles away from grandparents.

Now is the time to introduce a policy that builds local homes for local people. In this way the inter-generational family structure will be there to support young children in their upbringing.

I am pleased that, after I lobbied him, the mayor of London is giving millions to Croydon Council to build 34 new council houses.

ANDREW PELLING MP City Hall