Children as young as seven ‘show signs' of future gang involvement
Neil Puffett
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Police, councils, youth services, and schools should be working with children as young as seven to prevent them getting involved with gangs or violent youth crime, it has been claimed.
A series of reports published today by the Early Intervention Foundation calls on frontline agencies to target their diminishing resources on providing early support to children and young people most at risk.
Analysing existing academic studies, the reports reveal that troublesome behaviour and aggression, as well, running away from home and truancy, can indicate future youth offending in children as young as seven.
Children from troubled families, with a history of family violence and long-term unemployment, and those whose friends are already involved in crime are also most at risk.
Cannabis use and anger traits in young children are also strong signals of risk for future gang involvement. Low achievement in primary school and hyperactivity were found to be signals of risk for both youth violence and gang involvement.
The Early Intervention Foundation said it is vital that frontline workers spot early signs and make sure help is provided.
The reports show that school-based or family-focused programmes, such as parent training, family therapy and home visits, are most effective in steering children and young people away from a life of crime.
However, mentoring schemes are often implemented poorly and do not work unless very carefully supervised and monitored.
Meanwhile, programmes based solely on deterrence or discipline – such as prison visits or military boot camps – do not work and can be potentially harmful.
Carey Oppenheim, EIF chief executive, said: “Gang involvement and youth violence have devastating consequences for young people and their families.
“Once a young person becomes involved in gangs or other violent lifestyles, it is hard for them to break free.
“They may disengage from education, commit serious crimes and face jail, witness or commit serious violence or tragically, suffer serious injury or even lose their lives.
“It is vital that local areas use our research to spot these signals of risk and provide the right support at the earliest opportunity so they can pick up the signs and not the pieces. We know that these indicators of risk do not themselves predict gang membership or involvement in violence, but they do suggest increased odds of this happening.
Roy Perry, chair of the Local Government Association’s children and young people board, said: “In those areas where gang violence is a problem, local councils are working hard with their partners to stop children and young people from becoming involved.
“Different programmes are being tested to find the best ways to help different groups, with lessons from the most successful ones being shared across the country to build up a picture of what works best.
“Investing in prevention at a local level is key. Whether it’s working with families, tackling truancy, or helping parents to overcome long-term unemployment, more councils are sharing information and working alongside schools, the police and charities to support young people at risk."
