A LEADING councillor says youth crime has fallen in the south of the borough since Paul Erhahon was killed by a gang three years ago.

Cllr Akram spoke to the Guardian in response to the news that two of the teenagers found guilty of murdering Paul are seeking to get their convictions overturned.

The cabinet member for community safety said: "We have made some real progress in tackling youth crime, shown by the fact that last year we had the biggest drop in youth crime figures acorss London.

"We are into March and there has only been one shooting since the start of the year involving young people in the south of the borough that I am aware of."

Cllr Akram said the council has been working to build better links between police, schools and colleges, citing the Stolen Lives DVD and pack, which featrues grpahic images of knife crime vicitms, being distributed to schools.

He also said extra police allocated to sixth form colleges have made a difference, as has the formation of a police youth engagement team.

The much-publicised installation of knife arches in schools across the borough has also been effective in making pupil's feel more secure at school, said Cllr Akram.

Referring to the Erhahon killers' bid for freedom, Cllr Akram said: "We have not picked up any signs of extra tension in the area yet, but we may see that towards the end of their legal bid."

Paul Benfield, 18, of Corn Way, and Kevin Adu-Marcet, 16, of Cathall Road, both Leytonstone, were handed life sentences, with a minimum term of 13 years for the killing of 14-year-old Paul in April 2007.

Scott Taylor 20, of Melon Road, Leytonstone, is also seeking to get his conviction for the attempted murder of Paul's 15-year-old friend, who was with him during the attack, quashed.

The teenagers believe their convictions were unsafe due to a high proportion of the evidence against them being given by anonymous witnesses.

Paul died of stab wounds after being attacked by a 15-strong gang in the foyer of Gean Court, off Hall Road, Leytonstone, on Good Friday in 2007.

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Twitter