1. Many young people bond in close cliques. It is an obvious form of mutual support through the tricky years of adolescence. Some young people forge links through sporting or other interests. These are not gangs. A study by the Home Office defined gangs as groups that have engaged in delinquent or criminal behaviour together in the past 12 months (YPN, 31 May-6 June, p3). Big emphasis on "together".
2. The Home Office does not like to use the term "gang". It prefers "delinquent youth group". To qualify, gangs have to spend a lot of time in public places and have existed for three months or more. The group has at least one "structural feature" such as a name, an area, a leader, or rules. Two young people can't be a gang - but three can.
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