Birmingham launches pilot project to tackle roots of gang culture

A pioneering scheme that will help prevent young people entering into gang lifestyles has been launched in Birmingham.

The pilot project, Building Lives: Intensive Intervention Project (BLIIP), is the first scheme of its kind in the city.

Providing bespoke mentoring and support services to vulnerable young people, it aims to help fifty young people, between 10-19 years.

The scheme will provide accredited personal development programmes, alongside creative activity which will be used to engage the young people.

With a strong focus on achievement, the programmes will ensure young people are equipped with life skills and tools to become more independent and show them how they can regain control over their lives.

Councillor Ayoub Khan, Cabinet Member for Local Services and Community Safety said: "This project shows how Birmingham is being innovative in tacking a problem that affects all the major cities in the UK and dealing with it head on, by taking preventative measures that will address the root of the issue.

"By working in partnership with other agencies, this scheme will offer our young people real opportunities to divert away from gang activity and thus weaken existing gang structures."

Anne Weinstock, Director of the Youth Taskforce, said: "Birmingham is one of the areas we are working with to tackle youth crime, using a "triple track" approach of enforcement, non-negotiable support and prevention.

"Birmingham has been funded to launch these projects as part of their drive to protect communities against anti-social behaviour and support young people at an early stage, alongside enforcement measures where necessary."

Derek Douglas, from Novas Scarman, added: "This is a great opportunity for us to deliver a programme alongside our partners. It will build on our past work, which has given young people a new start in life and a chance to achieve."

The anticipated period of involvement with the project will be 6-18 months, depending on the level of support required. Young people deemed at risk of entering the gang culture and lifestyle include those involved in anti-social behaviour, substance abuse and criminal activity.

Birmingham is one of the 20 areas to receive a share of £13m to help set up BLIPP. The money has been allocated by the Government’s Youth Taskforce.