One hundred men from Derby are preparing to march through gang-plagued areas of the city to show youngsters positive role models and try to steer them away from trouble. Crime reporter Shaun Jepson spoke to some of those taking part.

SOLICITORS, lecturers, doctors and businessmen will come together to march through Derby next month with one common aim - they want to stop gang crime in the city.

The event will see men of all colours and backgrounds marching through the streets of some of Derby's toughest estates to show troubled youths that they can make a success of their lives.

It is being organised by the Men of Black Ancestry, which aims to provide opportunities for black men to meet and support each other, and a wide range of professions will be represented.

Byron Morgan, secretary of the organisation and a worker with the youth offending service in Derby, said the group wanted to relieve gang tensions.

He hopes that during the march young men at risk of becoming involved in gangs will take an interest and stop to talk to some of the participants. He said: "We are trying to address the issue around gang culture in Derby because we realise there has been tension. We wanted to do something to tackle that.

"We want to help work through the issues affecting the community and the issues affecting the young men who are getting involved in gangs.

"It is about showing and making them aware that there are people in their community that care. These are people the young men can look up to. They are people who are willing to help."

Mr Morgan said the march was taking place in a bid to minimise the levels of gang activity in Derby.

He said the need for action was also highlighted by the death of Kadeem Blackwood, who was shot in the chest at Caxton Street Recreation Ground in November 11.

Callum Campbell, of Osmaston Park Road, pleaded guilty to murdering Kadeem.

He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a later date.

Ashley Campbell, 24, has admitted assisting an offender while 19-year-old Michael Hamblett-Sewell will stand trial in October charged with murder.

Gang-related crimes in the city have included the shooting of 24-year-old Frank Farrell.

Carlos Grant, 23, Jahvan Gibbons, 20, and Caleb Alexander, 22, were jailed for the part they played in the shooting.

Grant was given a minimum sentence of 10 years, Gibbons was handed a 20-year jail term and Alexander a six-year term. The three men were members of the Allenton-based A1 Crew.

Mr Morgan said a range of people, including solicitors, youth service workers and probation officers, were taking part in the march.

He said: "I think we have just about every profession covered. These are people who have been in the community for a long time and want to help these young men.

"We don't want to ram it down their throats. If we do that, they will rebel.

"We want to talk to them about what they want to happen in their community and I think it is our duty to follow that up and try to make it happen."

Richard Mullings, who works for the NHS in Derby, said he decided to take part in the march after being shocked at some of the stories he heard.

He said: "Youngsters have said they can't go into a certain area which is quite incredible.

"I thought to myself this is Derby, not New York City, so I wanted to help do something to bring people together.

"It is important to stress that we are not anti-gangs.

"We just want the community to look at how they can show young people there is a way forward."

John Augustin, a deacon at the New Testament Church of God, is also taking part in the march. He said he wanted to help youngsters steer clear of gangs.

"I have to help people for my own, personal conscience. I see it as my duty to help people," he said.

"I think support has been available to youngsters in the past but it has perhaps been jargonised and difficult for them to access.

"We want to talk to them on the right kind of level to ensure they get the support they need."

The march will take place at 10.30am on Saturday, September 5, and will begin at Alvaston Infants School in Elvaston Lane.

It will follow a seven-mile route through Alvaston, Allenton, Sinfin, Sunny Hill, Austin estate and Normanton.

The march will finish at Normanton Park where a series of speeches promoting positive ways forward will take place.

For more information on how to take part in the march, contact Mr Morgan through e-mail on Byron.Morgan@derby. gov.uk.