1. Working Locally with Gangs Within
the National Policy Framework
Unit 1
Session 2
(LOs 1. 3 and 5 inc Assess Criteria
1.1,1.2,1.3,3.1, 3.2 and 5.1)

2. Gangs?
The issue of street gangs is not a new
phenomenon. The term ‘gangs’ is complex, and
academics and practitioners alike have failed to
reach a consensus on the definition.
How would you define it?

3. Policing and Crime Act (2009)
The Policing and Crime Act (PCA) 2009, was one of the first
pieces of legislation that attempted to define a ‘gang’ and
capture it as a legal format.
According to the Act, a gang is legally defined as:
“a) Consists of at least three people;
b) Uses a name emblem or colour or has any other
characteristic that enables its members to be identified by
others as a group; and
c) Is associated with a particular”.
(PCA, 2009: 13)

4. Defining a ‘Gang’
“ A relatively durable, predominantly street
based group of young people who (1) see
themselves (and are seen by others) as a
discernible group (2) engage in a range of
criminal activity and violence (3) lay claim over
territory (4) have some form of identifying
structural feature and (5) are in conflict with
other, similar, gangs” (CJS, 2009:13)

5. Defining a ‘Gang’
For the purpose of this course a gang is:
“A group of individuals, often from similarly
marginalised experiences, who identify
themselves by the name as a group; and that
primarily sustains themselves through criminal
activity”. (Klein et al, 2006:6)

6. From the BRAP Report, (August 2012, p. 10) STUCK: Current Approaches to
the Design and Delivery of Interventions to Address Gang-Related Violence in
Birmingham- A Research Report, BRAP, Birmingham
Gangs and gang activity…
• Can be group-based
• May have permanent recurring features (such as presence in a location)
• May have identifiable leadership and some form of internal organisation
or may regularly change in shape, form and membership
• May involve claim over territory
• May involve a business activity (e.g. drug dealing)
• May involve the pursuit of violence as a legitimate form of group activity
• May involve other forms of anti-social or criminal behaviour
• May involve young people and more mature adults
• Involves both men and women (although public perception of gangs
tends to focus on the role of men)”

7. The National Policy Framework

8. What is ‘policy’?
“Social policies aim to improve human welfare…”
And
“…policies are living things…Therefore, social
policies are what happens ‘on the ground’ when
they are implemented, as well as what happens
at preliminary decision-making or legislative
stage”.
(Blakemore and Griggs (2007) (3rd ed) Social Policy: An Introduction, Berkshire OUP, p.
1)

9. What is national policy?
National policy can be understood as:
“A broad course of action or statements of
guidance adopted by the government at the
national level in pursuit of national objectives”.
(Runnymede Trust, 2011:14)

10. The National Policy
Framework was Framed by 4
Main Events

12. Death of Charlene & Letitia
Shakespeare
2003
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbdPZJj3ljA

13. Death of Rhys Jones 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFmjnWjlk
T8
Discussion
(next 2 triggers may be played in the next
session if there’s no time today)

14. Birmingham Riots 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1CeS2LzT9
Q

15. Death of Lee Rigby 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8ztjOqItKY

16. Your Thoughts???
(Group Activity)