An Introduction to Gangs and Serious Youth Violence in the United Kingdom

Densley, James A.; Deuchar, Ross; Harding, Simon

doi:10.1177/1473225420902848

Cited by 13 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…The vulnerability of young people to criminal exploitation by gangs and their involvement in the sale and trafficking of drugs is also acknowledged (HM Government, 2016; Windle et al , 2020). This change in strategy (HM Government, 2006) was centred around the relatively new and expanding phenomenon of “county lines”; the expansion of the drugs market beyond urban centres to provincial UK regions (Coomber and Moyle, 2018; Densley et al , 2020; Robinson et al , 2019). However, it remains the case that one of the most contentious and troublesome issues in the field of gang research is how to define a gang (Bennett and Holloway, 2004; Curry, 2015; Klein, 2001; Pitts, 2008), and importantly what differentiates gangs from other delinquent networks (Esbensen et al , 2001; Goldman, et al , 2014; Klein, 2001; Wood and Alleyne, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer groups, street gangs and organised crime in the narratives of adolescent male offenders

Ashton

Bussu

2020

JCP

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how young people who offend with others define delinquent and criminal groups and consider the social risk factors associated with gang membership and criminal exploitation. Design/methodology/approach The sample consisted of 15 young people who were purposively sampled from a group of 14- to 17-year-old males who had been identified as at risk of gang involvement and referred to a community-based programme. Using a social identity framework, a thematic analysis was undertaken to investigate how the participants viewed their role in offending as part of a group. Findings The participants identified peer groups, street gangs and the involvement of adult criminals as distinct categories of offending groups. Unlike prior models for gang involvement, some members of the sample were involved in multiple groups to perform different categories of crime. Importantly, participants displayed an awareness of exploitation and described successful exit strategies from criminal groups. Research limitations/implications Understanding how young people who are involved in delinquent behaviour and offending define gang and group offending. Practical implications The implications for gang and group offending prevention and intervention programmes are discussed. Originality/value The literature on child criminal exploitation and UK drug markets is in its infancy. This paper offers further evidence for the processes of joining and leaving delinquent and criminal groups.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer groups, street gangs and organised crime in the narratives of adolescent male offenders

Ashton

Bussu

2020

JCP

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“…This positionality highlights the need to explore the factors behind the high incidence of youth violence and knife crime in the BAME youth. The increasing rate of knife crime among BAME youths is attributed to gang culture (Densley et al, 2020), which is defined as a group of youths who have some organisational structure and whose members are involved in illegal activities (Esbensen, 2001). In the UK gang culture is characterised by knife crime, with some scholars coining it as knife crime 'epidemic' (Squires, 2009).…”

Section: Bame Communities In the Ukmentioning

confidence: 99%

Youth violence and knife crime in ethnic minorities in the UK: A review of the literature

Gwata,

Ventriglio,

Hughes

et al. 2024

Int J Soc Psychiatry

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Background: Youth violence and knife crime is increasing dramatically, so much so it has been described as a global epidemic. The social, economic and political forces fuelling this rise mean that minority groups are particularly affected. Aim: This paper reviews the literature primarily from a UK perspective, and illustrates the disparate factors that are influencing the rise in youth violence and knife crime and illustrates the complexities of integrating the perspectives of different disciplines into coherent intervention strategies. Method: We conducted a systematic review of the literature that explores both the causes of increasing youth violence and knife crime as well as some of the interventions that have attempted to deal with the problem. Results: A complex interplay of social, economic, mental health and political factors underpin the increase in youth violence and knife crime. An uneasy tension exists between a traditional criminal justice system-based approach based upon deterrence and punishment, and a more liberal preventative model focusing on adolescent mental health. None of the interventions thus far have been particularly effective. Conclusion: Youth violence and knife crime is a global social issue that causes untold suffering to individuals, families and communities as well as fear that reverberates through society. Interventions have often been devised through the lens of particular disciplines or ideologies. Integrating these perspectives into a coherent approach that is actually effective demands greater co-operation, dialogue and mutual understanding between disciplines and agencies, as well as a robust framework for the evidence-based assessment of outcomes.

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“…However, Hallsworth and Silverstone (2009) suggest that it does not solely relate to where one spends their leisure time, rather it is a place where violence and its threat is everywhere (Pinkney et al , 2018). Practitioners who work with young people in the self-professed “urban inner cities” (Glynn, 2015) are aware of issues pertaining to young people, gangs and “post-code” wars (Densley et al , 2020 and Pitts, 2020).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is faith and “on road” youth work intertwined? Examining the experiences of “on road” practitioners

Robinson-Edwards

Pinkney

2022

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Purpose Research pertaining to young people, frontline work and faith is fairly limited. This qualitative article proposes that often faith and “on road” youth work are intertwined. This paper aims to explore the experiences of nine frontline practitioners, those who work with young people in a range of settings. The crux of the discussion is focused on how the religious and cultural views of practitioners impact their frontline practice, as it relates to supporting the young person’s needs. The authors suggest that understanding frontline practice as it relates to faith is imperative to our ability to effectively engage with young people “on road”. Design/methodology/approach This paper took a qualitative approach, where semi-structured interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. This allowed the formation of the following three core themes: incarceration, religiosity and “on road” youth work; the nuances of religion and identity “on road”; and the “pains of ‘on road’ youth work”. Findings The findings within this paper suggest that faith and “on road” youth work are intertwined. In that frontline practitioners’ personal religious views, and importantly the understanding they have regarding the array of religious identities adopted by young people (YP) is helpful in engaging YP across the board. This paper highlights the complexities between identity, faith, faith-based support and hard-to-reach communities. Research limitations/implications This paper explores the complexities between faith on “on road” criminology/“on road” youth work. This area of study is fairly under-researched. This paper seeks to build on existing research surrounding YP, further exploring religiosity from a UK context. Practical implications This paper aimed to explore the lived experiences of frontline practitioners in Birmingham UK, many of whom work with YP from Black, Asian or minority backgrounds. Therefore the findings cannot be generalised. Social implications This paper’s intention is not to stereotype YP, but to raise awareness of the subjective experience of faith and religiosity on the frontline. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are few studies that explore the concept of “on road” criminology and “on road” youth work. Therefore, findings from this study are important to develop further understanding.

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An Introduction to Gangs and Serious Youth Violence in the United Kingdom

Cited by 13 publications

References 26 publications

Peer groups, street gangs and organised crime in the narratives of adolescent male offenders

Peer groups, street gangs and organised crime in the narratives of adolescent male offenders

Youth violence and knife crime in ethnic minorities in the UK: A review of the literature

Is faith and “on road” youth work intertwined? Examining the experiences of “on road” practitioners

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