Prince William Speaks About Gang Violence In London

Britain's Prince William has spoken about gang violence in London. The royal - who turns 27 Monday - wrote an article about the time he spent with former gang members earlier this year.

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In the story, which was published by Britain's Sunday Telegraph newspaper, William writes: "Former gang members have told me that it is precisely to find status, respect from others and the role in a community that we all crave that led them to fall in with gangs in the first place."

He continued: "One enduring feature of all gangs - and teams - is that they survive on mutual support. They allow their members to earn respect by obeying the rules, and they share clear objectives."

"Essentially, they allow the individual to belong. As such, the fundamental difference - so far as I can see - between violent street gangs and cohesive teams of contented young people is the destructive violence of the former set against the constructive comradeship of the latter."

"The challenge, therefore, seems to me to be to how turn gang members into team members."

William's private meetings with the former gang members were reportedly arranged by two youth charities the royal supports.