A community campaigner has warned that a "show of force" by the Police including a proposed SWAT team may trigger problems by alienating angry youths.

Premier Ewart Brown held an emergency Cabinet meeting on August 21 after 18-year-old Kellon Hill was stabbed to death and 22-year-old Prince Barrington Edness was hurt in a drive-by shooting earlier this month.

Among the resulting proposals to tackle street violence were putting more Police on the beat and exploring the idea of a US-style SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) unit.

Responding to the news yesterday, executive director of the Family Centre Martha Dismont said: "If we are to finally tackle problems that we have said were on our doorstep for twenty years, then we need effective and reasonable responses.

"The recent decision to increase policing and the consideration of the development of a SWAT team as a response to youth violence on our streets may be important strategies for communicating that certain anti-social behaviours will not be tolerated.

"However, this possible 'show of force' could also set off even greater resistance from young people who are already angry at society.

"We need to implement responses that address immediate safety, but even more vital are the efforts we advance to address the core problems causing these behaviours.

"This is not to second guess those who are working hard to keep us all safe. However, reactive approaches can only contain a problem and that is not an effective way of reducing the problem.

"These approaches are used when adequate work has not been done on the 'front end'. It takes time, attention and care to raise young people, and when that has been missing we get exactly what we have."

Ms Dismont said in order to address the problems, it is important to reach out to young people on the brink of falling into a criminal lifestyle through combining grassroots community initiatives with strategies formed by the Police and other Government organisations.

"There needs to be a 'coming together' of the efforts, similar to what occurs in the event of the threat of a hurricane. Everyone knows their role and plays that role to perfection.

"In that situation, we would not squander resources nor allow for fragmentation of effort. Most importantly, we would not knowingly allow one individual or one family to be out in the hurricane without help.

"This problem of youth violence is like a hurricane of different proportions and regardless of how it developed, we must recognise the impact it will continue to have on each of us, and come together so that no one continues to suffer," she urged.

She concluded by stating: "Immediate short term measures are needed to address the spate of violence and to protect our citizens.

"These should include proactive policing, very active positive parenting, and the development of community 'watches' to look out and report concerning behaviour.

"Businesses and parents who host groups of youth will also need to pay closer attention to suspicious behaviours that can lead to problems. The community however must also develop year-round healthy activities that encourage positive interaction between young people, and an appreciation for truly helping others in all ways."

The Family Centre is planning a meeting of social and youth service agencies for early September to identify how they can be more responsive and proactive. The meeting will include a brainstorming session on how to reach out to the parents of at-risk youths.