Gangs of Great Britain

The news seems to be more full than ever before about gang culture, with more and more tragic news of young people being killed or seriously injured by gang members.

Here, I believe, is evidence of the impact of a ‘community’ on behaviour. Gangs create a community for young people whose own communities may not offer them the security of membership they need. Within a gang, all the principles of a community are in place – membership, shared values, shared goals, cohesion and a leadership hierarchy.

With this pull, can we really tackle gangs using enforcement alone? Whilst there is no simple answer, there must be some merit in trying to ‘dismember’ this kind of community, and in doing so, offer its members the opportunity to gain the same sense of value elsewhere.

What do you think? Have you tried any strategies that have started to have an effect in your community?

Amanda McDonald