Ten Projects to tackle gun, gang and knife crime in London are to receive nearly a quarter of a million pounds from the Recycled Criminal Assets Fund, the Government Office for London announced.

The money - seized from criminals - will be made available to groups working in the areas worst affected by gun, gang and knife crime as part of the Government's drive to use the proceeds of crime to beat crime. It will fund both immediate and preventative action delivered by a range of bodies including leading police organisations and community based groups such as the BME-led organisation From Boyhood to Manhood.

The ten projects to be awarded funding operate mainly in Lambeth, Newham, Southwark, Haringey, Brent and Hackney. In addition a number of projects, such as Operation Blunt, are active throughout London.

Roger King, Regional Crime Director for London said:

"Gun, gang and knife crime has a violent impact on local communities in London, and we need to tackle this issue at a grassroots level. "A recent survey by Communities That Care revealed that one per cent of London school children in some high crime areas had carried a real handgun and highlighted the link between gun carrying and other criminal behaviour such as drug abuse. For this reason it is vital that we work in partnership to offer advice to young people, steering them away from involvement with weapons and gangs. A number of these projects do just that.

"I am delighted to be able to announce the funding of these truly promising projects which offer innovative solutions to the sort of problems which all too often blight a number of our neighbourhoods and communities. I believe they can make a significant contribution to safety in the Capital"

The successful projects were selected by the Government Office for London, in conjunction with partners from the Mayor's office and the Metropolitan Police Service.