Research into knife crime in Tottenham has revealed a stark lack of trust for the police among the borough’s youngsters.

Their attitudes came to light as part of a consultation to find out youngsters’ views on knife crime following a spate of deaths from stabbings.

Youngsters expressed reluctance to ever tell the police if they were affected by knife crime and suggested police officers were only present after an incident instead of providing support.

The research, which was carried out by the Godwin Lawson Foundation in the N17 and N15 postcodes, revealed youngsters saw mentoring and inspiration as ways of tackling the problem.

They also called for support for parents, more investment in after-school activities, work with the police on engagement activities and apprenticeship schemes.

Haringey borough commander Helen Millichap said: “Some of the views are difficult but essential for me and my officers to read. I am especially concerned about young people who would not call for our help if they needed it.”

She said the police wanted to meet some of the young people involved and called for more involvement between young people and the police in general

The borough commander said prevention should be at the heart of the police’s response, adding that they had been working with primary schools to stop people getting involved in crime from a young age.

Liberal Democrat councillor Julia Ogiehor welcomed the report but said: “It is really telling us what we already know. What are we waiting for?

“We continue to focus on enforcement when young people have told us that heavy handed policing creates barriers.

“This report is a positive step, but we need to take actual actions.”

Cllr Mark Blake, cabinet member for communities, safety and engagement, said: “We need to understand that we can’t police our way out of these problems.

“We are committed to making an investment in our youth services and will detail this in the autumn, doing all in our power to create opportunities for all young people.”

He added that the fairness commission set up by the council would take long-term measures “by placing fairness and equality at the heart of everything we do”.

Cllr Blake said the council had submitted a council bid and supported bids from other organisations to the mayor of London for innovative projects to support a community response to knife crime.

He added that a further £90,000 had been secured to widen the council’s summer programme of activities and work with partners to make sport facilities more accessible.

But the councillor admitted there were no quick solutions and said the government’s austerity policies had created problems that the council was having to cope with – despite ongoing cuts to its funding.