Yet again, the British Government is targeting gang culture.

Time to get on my soapbox I think.

Why do kids or adults for that matter join gangs?

Experience from the US points to their being many underlying causes for gang membership.

• A sense of belonging, usually stemming from lack of parental control due to the breakdown of the traditional family unit. Members feel that their gang brothers and sisters are more of a “family” than their own.
• The opportunity to wield power. Some gang members feel a sense of powerlessness over their lives, lack of money and opportunities are cited as reasons for membership.
• Race Hatred.Still alive and flourishing no matter what gloss the Government puts on a multi-culturall society, most gang members seek power over other race group. This is not exclusively a white thing either, thye “yardie” culture in Birmingham for example.
• Rebellion against the establishment. Many feel as if the law is there to victimise them rather than protect society.
• Boredom.
• Access to illicit substances such as drink, drugs etc
• Intimidation. The you join us or face the consequences scenario.
• Easy money. Selling drugs or weapons, robbery where the victim is intimidated with threats of future violence.

Punitive sentencing may sound good and the public will obviously go for it as a fix, the Government will tout it as emphasising the fact that they are tough on crime.

Gang culture is nothing new, Victorians were plagued by it, read Oliver Twist for example or watch the magnificent Angels with Dirty Faces starring James Cagney nfor an example of 1930’s gang culture as seen through the eyes of Hollywood. The underlying causes of gang culture need to be addressed as well as sentencing policy or the problem will get worse.

Here’s the article.

After a spate of high-profile teenage killings in London, Home Secretary Jaqui Smith will address the damaging impact of gang-related crime on local communities .

“My priority is to protect and support the victims and witnesses of gun and gang crime,” Smith said ahead of her keynote speech.

“If this means an early guarantee that their identities will be protected then so be it. And if law enforcement authorities need new powers then they will have them ,” she said.

Senior police officers have warned that criminals are escaping justice by threatening communities, and it is hoped that by offering witnesses protection at an earlier stage they can convince them to give evidence.

The proposal is one of many set out in the government’s Tackling Gangs Action Plan.

Another recommendation will see a cash injection in a number of towns and cities to tackle knife-related crime.

Smith is also thought to be considering allowing judges to restrict the movements of gang members.

The government will also outline suggestions for schools to monitor the computer activity of suspected gang members and photographing graffiti tags.

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