Gangs and Serious Youth Violence

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Gang activity, knife crime, drugs and other forms of serious youth violence are significant issues. These can make our residents and communities worry about the safety and wellbeing of their children and families.

Gangs

5 or 6 years ago, 'gangs' and groups involved in violence were all about representing your area with groups being very visible and clearly associated with a specific 'gang'. This happened in various ways, including wearing 'gang' colours, using dogs as weapons, and making music videos shared via social media showing 'gang' members taunting other groups.

Nowadays, young men or women are persuaded to get involved or coerced into involvement by flash cars, jewellery, trainers, small amounts of money etc. These things can be extremely appealing, exciting and aspirational to some 12/13 year olds, and this is where the cycle often begins.

The ‘business’ element can be very alluring with promises of money, however the money is only made by those few at the top with most of those involved risking their lives and liberty for what normally works out as far less than the minimum wage. 

With drug dealing, violence and weapons come hand in hand, and that is where things escalate. This exploitation of younger and more vulnerable people through crime and the illegal drug trade reinforces the position of the senior group leaders through increasing use of violence.

The message from the gangs workers in Westminster is simple

They want all young people to stay safe, alive and out of prison.

They will work with any young person from Westminster in relation to drugs, weapons and group violence to divert them away from the gang culture, educate them about the consequences of their involvement and help them find alternatives to crime.

The main groups or 'gangs' Westminster gangs workers work with are from South Kilburn, Mozart, Warwick, Lisson Green Men, Church Town Militants, Ebury and Page Street. However, they will work with young people from any area in Westminster who are affected by gangs and who want help.

The gangs workers know how hard it can be to change lifestyles and get away from negative people and are here to support affected young people to make and stick to the difficult changes needed in a safe way.

Get in touch

There are young men and women who may read this and feel they are affected by these issues or have friends or family who are affected.

You can speak to anyone in the gangs unit or police in the strictest of confidence and they will ensure communication is handled in the safest way possible.

To talk to someone confidentially:

Email: integratedgangsunit@westminster.gov.uk

Click here to find out how we can help.

Gangs

5 or 6 years ago, 'gangs' and groups involved in violence were all about representing your area with groups being very visible and clearly associated with a specific 'gang'. This happened in various ways, including wearing 'gang' colours, using dogs as weapons, and making music videos shared via social media showing 'gang' members taunting other groups.

Nowadays, young men or women are persuaded to get involved or coerced into involvement by flash cars, jewellery, trainers, small amounts of money etc. These things can be extremely appealing, exciting and aspirational to some 12/13 year olds, and this is where the cycle often begins.

The ‘business’ element can be very alluring with promises of money, however the money is only made by those few at the top with most of those involved risking their lives and liberty for what normally works out as far less than the minimum wage. 

With drug dealing, violence and weapons come hand in hand, and that is where things escalate. This exploitation of younger and more vulnerable people through crime and the illegal drug trade reinforces the position of the senior group leaders through increasing use of violence.

The message from the gangs workers in Westminster is simple

They want all young people to stay safe, alive and out of prison.

They will work with any young person from Westminster in relation to drugs, weapons and group violence to divert them away from the gang culture, educate them about the consequences of their involvement and help them find alternatives to crime.

The main groups or 'gangs' Westminster gangs workers work with are from South Kilburn, Mozart, Warwick, Lisson Green Men, Church Town Militants, Ebury and Page Street. However, they will work with young people from any area in Westminster who are affected by gangs and who want help.

The gangs workers know how hard it can be to change lifestyles and get away from negative people and are here to support affected young people to make and stick to the difficult changes needed in a safe way.

Get in touch

There are young men and women who may read this and feel they are affected by these issues or have friends or family who are affected.

You can speak to anyone in the gangs unit or police in the strictest of confidence and they will ensure communication is handled in the safest way possible.

To talk to someone confidentially:

Email: integratedgangsunit@westminster.gov.uk

Click here to find out how we can help.

Page last reviewed: 28/02/2024

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