This evening I met with members of the Southwark Black Parent's Forum, Southwark Councillors and representatives from Southwark Police. We discussed a number of issues. The Southwark black parents forum was established by African/Caribbean parents in Southwark to highlight the importance of having an active involvement in their children's education and schooling.

The purpose of the forum is to give black parents and carers in the community the chance to have their say on how services are provided by public bodies and organisations locally, and to raise other matters of local concern.

We discussed how we all work together on the important issue of gun and knife crime in Peckham. The overwhelming majority of young people in Peckham are decent, hardworking people who want to make the most of their lives. We are all dismayed by the way that Peckham is often portrayed in the media. And we are concerned that incidents of gun and knife crime do not cast a shadow over Peckham.

I will continue to back up the good work that the forum do and we will hold a public community meeting for black parents across Southwark next month.