Gang & Knife Crime Awareness: Protecting Young People

2. Introduction Jacquie Genus (Employment Engagement Specialist) David Warner (Business Administrator Skills Coach)

3. Did You Know… Of the amount of Homicides occurring 2018… • 285 knife related homicides – 44.49% Male, 28% Female • 29 gun related homicides – 5% Male, 2% Female

4. 2019 so far in London… • 13 people have been killed in stabbings January – March 2019 alone (8 under the age of 24 years-old) • Young victims (aged under 24 years-old) has increased from 44.4% to 61.5% • Knife related killings has decreased by compared to 2018 (January – March period), though there has been a surge in killings affecting young people. “Knife crime killings are actually going down in 2019 – except among young people” – Home Office

5. Aims and Objectives To increase awareness of: • Risk factors around the young people • Ways to keep young people safe • Signs of young people possibly being affected by gang and knife crime Objectives • What signs to look for • Why children/young people join gangs • What you can do

6. Ryan Samuda “Behind The Headlines”

7. Ryan Samuda– Television Producer Gangland - Inside The Gang - Ministry of Justice Panorama Dispatches – Hometown

8. Ryan Samuda– Television Producer My journey has shown me that Gang & Knife crime is everywhere across the country • Colleges • Schools • Restaurants • Cinemas • Shopping Centres • Parks • Live Events - Nightclubs & Bars • Hospitals “Increase your awareness, but don’t be paranoid”

11. Ryan Samuda– Television Producer Every region and culture has its own style and favourite type of criminality – Gang culture is the result of drugs trade. A Public Health approach is needed with some old fashioned love and care in the community.

12. Judgements around Young People “How Do You Spot a Gang Member?”

13. Judgements around Young People

14. What does this mean for you Professionally? • Duty of care • Always be honest • Act like an adult • Build a rapport • Remain objective

15. What does this mean for you proffessionally?

16. Pathways to gang membership and criminality • Poverty • Greed • Fear • Family • Wanting a sense of belonging • Exclusion • Bullying

17. Everyone has an opinion… Victim or Perpetrator?

18. https://youtu.be/y6TGlmE3pbs “Akala Rejects the Facile Explanations for Gang Crime”

19. “Akala Rejects the Facile Explanations for Gang ​ Crime”​

20. Signs to Look Out For?

21. Spotting the Signs • Being withdrawn from family and/or school? • Worrying changes in behaviour, academic achievement or attendance • Talking differently – New slang or language • Staying out unusually late without valid/vague reasons • Suddenly hanging out with a new group • Unexplained injuries • Secretive/possessive and defensive about contents in bags • Graffiti on possessions • Sharp items going missing from the kitchen, tool box, garage or CLASSROOM • Listening to music glorifying weapons / gang culture

22. Why Do Young People Join Gangs?

23. Why Do Young People Join Gangs Young people join gangs for reasons which make sense to them, not to adults…. • Respect and status • To gain friends • A sense of belonging • Excitement • To find a substitute family • Power • Protection • Money • Peer pressure

24. It’s Just Not Boys…

25. It’s Not Just The Boys… Girls can be affected by gangs, but their involvement maybe harder to spot, including: “Hiding weapons or drugs” “Targeting male gang members in acts of revenge Honeytraps”

26. Signs of a Girl Involved in Gangs

27. Signs of Girls Involved in Gangs • Changes in physical appearance • Unexplained money or possessions • Getting involved in fights • Committing crimes such as shoplifting • Staying out late • Abusing drugs and/or alcohol • Physical injuries • Refusing medical help

28. Basic Facts

29. Facts We All Need To Know… • If someone is injured or killed in your presence (even without touching a knife!), you can still be prosecuted and face imprisonment if supporting or encouraging such acts – “Joint Enterprise” • Carrying a blade/sharp item with intent in public places is a criminal offence (unless for occupational/religious reasons), and is longer than 3 inches • Criminal records for knife use or possession can prevent you enrolling into Colleges, Universities, getting a Job, gaining entry into other countries

30. Have You Had Any Experiences With Gang & Knife Crime?

31. What Can We Do?

32. What Can We Do? Getting Started and Make Time– Initiate a non-judgemental conversation in a safe place Listen– Don’t expect or demand young people to talk, be patient! Encouragement– Encourage young people to share their fears and show your concern

33. What Can We Do? Be Positive– Reassure that a vast majority of young people don’t carry knives Stick to the Facts– Be prepared and know your facts Be Clear About False-Bravery– Walk away from confrontations or fights

34. What Can We Do? The Impact– Help young people think about the impact on others if they were stabbed, or stabbing others Make Things Relevant – Refer to recent news stories/local events Suggest Alternative Opportunities– Fun, safe recreational activities in their areas

35. If A Young Person Is Already Involved…

36. If a Young Person Is Already Involved If a young person is already involved in a gang, they may not want to talk about it or be scared. Make sure they know they have a choice. • Stay calm and ask questions to try and understand the situation and find solutions • Seek help from local community organisations

37. Juilett Campbell

38. County Lines – What Is It? “The movement of Class A drugs between urban areas and town and Cities by organised crime gangs. The frequently use children and young people to move and sell drugs, money, weapons and people usually under the guise of getting rich, coercion, violence and intimidation, grooming and or exploitation”

39. Modern Day Slavery & People Trafficking

40. Exploitation “Modern slavery is a serious crime. It encompasses slavery, servitude, and forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. Modern slavery victims can often face more than one type of abuse and slavery, for example if they are sold to another trafficker and then forced into another form of exploitation.”

41. Exploitation “A person is trafficked if they are brought to (or moved around) a country by others who threaten, frighten, hurt and force them to do work or other things they don’t want to do.”

42. The Line • Criminal exploitation (include children and vulnerable adults • Weapons • Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking • Economic Crime • Child Sexual exploitation • Drugs • Violence

43. Risk Factors • NEET • Poverty • Pupil referral units

44. Do You Know What To Do If…

45. Best Practice • Risk assessments • Behavioural Agreements • GDPR Explanation • Confidentiality/Disclosure • Incident Reports • Agencies for Support • Drugs • Violence

46. Useful Contacts

47. Useful Contacts Central West Integrated & Exploitation Unit – 0207 641 5904 / AWMailbox.IGXU@met.police.uk The SOS Project – 0207 708 8000 Family Lives – 0808 800 2222 Anti-Bullying Alliance –www.antibullyingalliance.org.uk Victim Support –www.victimsupport.org