Churches and communities were encouraged to become involved in the struggle to combat deadly gang culture at a conference organised by the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Street Pastors in central London on 4 July.

The Baptist Union of Great Britain is joining forces with the Ascension Trust, the group behind the Street Pastors initiative for a second second 'Bite the Bullet' conference on tackling youth gang violence.

Black Christian leaders have attacked UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, saying that his comments this week about Black communities did not recognise the work these communities - and especially Black Churches - are doing to tackle criminal gangs.