Government 'failing drastically' on tackling youth gang violence

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Communities and also in Local Government

The Government was accused of "failing drastically" on violent crime today, as new figures revealed sharp rises in attacks on youngsters.

Statistics uncovered by the Tories revealed the number of under 16s fatally stabbed has doubled since 1997.

In 1997 there were six deaths of 5-15 year-olds from knife attacks, but there were 12 such deaths last year.

And among 16-29 year-olds, fatal stabbings were up from 70 to 102.

Shootings of under-30s went up from 17 to 32, the figures showed.

The number of people beaten to death went up by nearly 60% overall. Among 16 to 29-year-olds the number grew by 74%.

Shadow home secretary, Chris Grayling said: "These figures underline how drastically the Government's policies on crime have failed. After eleven years of claiming to be tough, these figures show shocking levels of violent crime."

The figures emerged as ministers published new guidance for social services on how to spot youngsters involved in violent gangs.

Children's Minister Beverley Hughes warned more children - and more girls - were becoming members of gangs.

And she said parents who allow their children to be drawn into a life of gang violence should be "held to account".

Youngsters whose brothers and sisters were also in street gangs were particularly at risk, she said.

Ms Hughes said: "Lots of work is already being done by those who work with young people and across Government to tackle the problem of gangs, both from a wider preventative perspective and a public protection angle.

"And when younger brothers and sisters are in danger of being drawn into gangs it's a child safety issue too and every means of protecting them must be used, including holding parents to account."

Youth workers should look out for children who have lots of cash or expensive possessions, the guidance warns.

A new nickname and graffiti-style "tags" on their school books can also suggest gang involvement, it says.

The guidance document revealed a shocking picture of life in Britain's gangs.

The guidance set out terms used within gangs to identify members' ranks such as "tinys", "wannabes" and "associates".

Gang members could be forced to commit sexual abuse or other violent acts as part of the "initiation rituals", the report warned.

"Violence can be a means by which gang members gain respect and recognition, in initiation ceremonies, to progress in the gang hierarchy or to gain immunity from attacks.

"Once someone has been accepted into a gang they can feel under pressure to commit further offences to maintain respect," the report stated.

Girls were often used to carry weapons or drugs in mostly male gangs, but there were also all-female gangs, it warned.

They were also used by gang members and sexually exploited, it said.

"Within a gang girls may be sexually exploited or may sexually service older male gang members in return for a supply of drugs or for fear of worse retaliation if they refuse.

"Some senior gang members pass their girlfriends around to lower ranking members or to the whole gang at the same time."

Gang members who become involved in violent crime have "significant needs" which should be addressed by social services.

Teachers, police and other professionals should ensure violent gang members were "held responsible for their actions and harmful behaviour", it stated.

But they also "have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of these young people".

Children who have "lax parental supervision" and whose homes feature "conflict and violence" are at high risk of falling into gangs, the document stated.

Having family members in gangs also significantly increased the risk, as did abuse in the home.

Local authorities who discovered children were in gangs should "act quickly" if they feared they were at risk from "significant harm", the report stated.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "Early intervention is key in preventing young people from falling into the cycle of violence and crime linked to street gangs.

"The new guide being launched today offers further practical advice to professionals who work with young people to help them spot the danger signs and act.

"We recently widened the focus of the Tackling Knives Action Programme to include serious youth violence and gangs. Maintaining this targeted approach is part of wider Government action to continue clamping down on the small minority of young people who commit violent crime."