Opinion

Editor's View

The principle of early intervention to bring about change and improvement is firmly established across children's services. However, the idea of five-year-olds being warned off guns and the gang lifestyle by uniformed police officers might seem a step too far.

That is just what is happening in Merseyside, as our feature 'Force for change' (page 25) shows. Local police, in full bullet-proof body armour and carrying real guns, are delivering role-play sessions in schools to children as young as five to show them the consequences of criminal activity.

Sadly, children of this age are not too young to be given a strong message and support to stay away from trouble. Many will already have been exposed to guns and gang activity in their communities. By the time they get to secondary school, it may be too late. The tragic death of 11-year-old Rhys Jones in Liverpool's Croxteth area last month highlights the need to tackle the issue from children's earliest years.

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