Working Locally with Gangs Within the National Policy Framework

Unit 1Session 2

(LOs 1. 3 and 5 inc Assess Criteria 1.1,1.2,1.3,3.1, 3.2 and 5.1)

Gangs?

The issue of street gangs is not a new phenomenon. The term ‘gangs’ is complex, and academics and practitioners alike have failed to reach a consensus on the definition.

How would you define it?

Policing and Crime Act (2009)

The Policing and Crime Act (PCA) 2009, was one of the first pieces of legislation that attempted to define a ‘gang’ and capture it as a legal format.

According to the Act, a gang is legally defined as:

“a) Consists of at least three people;b) Uses a name emblem or colour or has any other characteristic

that enables its members to be identified by others as a group; and c) Is associated with a particular”.

(PCA, 2009: 13)

Defining a ‘Gang’

“ A relatively durable, predominantly street based group of young people who (1) see themselves (and are seen by others) as a

discernible group (2) engage in a range of criminal activity and violence (3) lay claim over

territory (4) have some form of identifying structural feature and (5) are in conflict with

other, similar, gangs” (CJS, 2009:13)

Defining a ‘Gang’

For the purpose of this course a gang is:

“A group of individuals, often from similarly marginalised experiences, who identify

themselves by the name as a group; and that primarily sustains themselves through criminal

activity”. (Klein et al, 2006:6)

From the BRAP Report, (August 2012, p. 10) STUCK: Current Approaches to the Design and Delivery of Interventions to Address Gang-Related Violence in Birmingham- A Research Report, BRAP, Birmingham

Gangs and gang activity…• Can be group-based• May have permanent recurring features (such as presence in a location)• May have identifiable leadership and some form of internal organisation

or may regularly change in shape, form and membership• May involve claim over territory• May involve a business activity (e.g. drug dealing)• May involve the pursuit of violence as a legitimate form of group activity• May involve other forms of anti-social or criminal behaviour• May involve young people and more mature adults• Involves both men and women (although public perception of gangs

tends to focus on the role of men)”

The National Policy Framework

What is ‘policy’?“Social policies aim to improve human welfare…”And“…policies are living things…Therefore, social policies are what happens ‘on the ground’ when they are implemented, as well as what happens at preliminary decision-making or legislative stage”.

(Blakemore and Griggs (2007) (3rd ed) Social Policy: An Introduction, Berkshire OUP, p. 1)

What is national policy?National policy can be understood as:

“A broad course of action or statements of guidance adopted by the government at the

national level in pursuit of national objectives”.

(Runnymede Trust, 2011:14)

The National Policy Framework was Framed by 4

Main Events

Death of Charlene & Letitia Shakespeare 2003

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbdPZJj3ljA

Death of Rhys Jones 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFmjnWjlkT8

Discussion(next 2 triggers may be played in the next

session if there’s no time today)

Birmingham Riots 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1CeS2LzT9Q

Death of Lee Rigby 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8ztjOqItKY

Your Thoughts???(Group Activity)