Gang culture: Petty crime or a means to survive?

Sirens, glass smashing, the sound of a spray can... the all too familiar sounds of our crime infested neighbourhoods.

Many children and young adults involved in crime are victims of exploitation, abuse or extreme poverty. When confronted with vandalism as a society we are quick to stereotype: 'thugs'. We see the actions but we ignore the reasoning, for some it is about putting food on the table, protecting themselves and their families from the increasing knife crime and a way to gain recognition in a society where the needy are ignored.

Some environmental factors are linked to a person’s likelihood of joining a gang, these could be that the particular area they live in has a high gang count, they have family members that are already in gangs and would therefore follow in their footsteps. Other factors may include histories of sexual or physical abuse, growing up in poverty, having access to weapons or drugs that may cause people to be desperate and a lack of successes or opportunities in their life, such as school.

Maybe it is time we stop blaming children and start opening our eyes to the harsh reality, we live in a society where young people are pressured to break the law in order to stay safe.

We normally associate the word 'gang' with stereotypical connotations such as gangsters, mobs and mafia drug trades but in 21st century Britain, gangs are made of predominantly male teenagers.

In fact, in an Office of the Children’s Commissioner 2017 study more than 45,000 children between the ages of 10 and 18 described themselves as being in a street gang according to the Office of the Children’s Commissioner.
However, it is difficult for them to create an exact number as some children who are detained, missing, or living in health and care residential establishments is not included in the total amount.

Once someone is a member of a gang it can be extremely difficult for them to leave. The individual may fear that another member will blackmail them with evidence they can hand into the police or divulge into gang secrets. Loyalty within a gang is so strong that members thought to have been disloyal are at risk of violence – even being killed.

Although members of a gang may be fully aware that the actions they are participating in are wrong, there are factors that may influence them to continue.

Firstly, if the gang member is young they may be susceptible to the pressures of the older members within the group. If the negative criminal activity is praised or positively reinforced then they may find that their own conscience is disregarded.

There may also be incentives for the gang member to stay involved for example rewards such as enhanced status within the group, financial rewards or better inclusion.

The gang may be victims themselves to the pressures of ‘gang territory’, they may feel the constant need to show their power by ‘acting out’ to make sure that other rival gangs in the area are made aware that they are not weak. This plays a large role in ensuring the gang is not victimised by other, more powerful or larger groups.

Some participants are able to break free from the pressures of gang culture, this is usually when the individual acquires a new life role such as becoming a father or finding a job that allows them the financial aid to be self-sufficient. Maybe we need to create more opportunities for those caught up in the epidemic.

Tom Sansom parked his car in Canterbury before his car was vandalised he said:

“The fact they didn’t steal anything annoyed me more as it is not like they saw something in my car that they liked. It seems to be gang related as it is happening too frequently to be just bored people having a laugh. It seems to be multiple locations so probably different people. It is just frustrating having to go through the hassle of replacing the window and the fact it keeps happening and nothing seems to be done about it.”

In Kent more than £800,000 has been donated to a charity to prevent young people in Kent being groomed into a life of drugs and crime. Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott and the Home Office have confirmed that funds will be given to St Giles Trust in a bid to reduce the number of children exploited by gang leaders operating at county lines.

"We know that we do have a footprint of gangs from London and other places, trying to exploit our young people."

Matthew Scott is investing just over £614,000 from his commissioning budget over the next three years while the Home Office is contributing £202,000 to the cause. This will mean that our children will be given opportunities to have a voice and to choose the path that they want to follow despite the odds being against them.

The donation is being put forward because statistics have shown that between April 2010 and September 2018 knife crime in Kent increased by 152%. This is the largest increase in England and Wales in history according to the Office of National Statistics.
Kent is not the only County with a rise in knife crime but is closely followed by Hertfordshire at 89%, Staffordshire at 88%, Essex at 43% and London at 11%.

Harlie Laforce from Kent has been a victim to vandalism she said " The first time it happened 2 windows were smashed in; the police were contacted but they couldn't find the person despite having witnesses

"I went to sleep and woke up to the rest of the windows smashed, a flower pot through the windscreen and a glass table smashed over it. The person was never found!"

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London has voiced his concern on the growing issue, perhaps now the long-needed change will happen.