Johanne Miller University of the West of Scotland Postgraduate SIPR Conference 30/06/2015

The only constant of gangs is their fluidity (Hagedorn 2008, Pitt 2008, Hallsworth & Young 2004) Understandings & approaches are based on North American concept of gang (Cotrell- Boyce 2010 ) Gangs differ based on their geographical location. (Pitts 2008) No consensus on what a gang actually is. Confusion between organised crime groups & street based youth gangs. Different types of definitions: Inclusive vs restrictive Operational vs conceptual

Self Defining Surveys used as main indicator of gang prevalence in Scotland and England (ESTYC & OCJS) Young People have a different understanding of the concept resulting in misrepresentation of the problem Practitioners have difficulty identifying those in need & proving they are working with right group. (Tillock & Bulley 2008) Labelling practices associated with gang name (Aldridge & Medina 2008) These result in a mis-representation of the problem & mis- informed policies and interventions (Gangbo’s, joint enterprise, £ 10 million allocation yearly in Scotland )

Young people and police have different understandings of what a gang is. (Atkinson & Fraser 2015) Police Scotland criticised for approaches to youth policing (Murray 2015, Fraser & Atkinson 2009, 2015) which creates implications of legitimacy. Moral panics ensue concerning gangs which has an effect on policing due to increased social pressure (E.g London riots 2011)

A definition and theory of how young people grow in and out of gangs in Glasgow contextualised by street culture using Charmaz’s (2006) constructed grounded theory. 60 participants in total, representing 21 gangs across the city. 60 surveyed, 40 took part in two focus groups and 20 were individually interviewed. 10 ‘gang experts’ interviewed. Percentage of Coverage Across City N15% E25% W16.7% SW30% SE13.3% 100%

There are different types of definitions: operational and conceptual, to have a true understanding of gangs we must incorporate both. Operational definitions have become typified by their main indicator: criminality The criminal element was taken out of definition and replaced with territorialism. Territorialism, friendship and the scheme are the three main tenets of a Glasgow gang. The word ‘gang’ is obscuring our view of the street violence and crime. In utopia we would get rid of the term gang in Britain and concentrate only upon the offences committed. A Glasgow Definition A regenerating, self aware group of young people (majority male) aged that emerge from play groups, are socialised via the streets and engage in territorial violence. The groups originate in low income, urbanised areas. They have attachment to territory; the territory will historically be involved in territorial violence and have a name and area associated with it.

Separation between the terms organised crime groups and street based youth gangs are essential in reducing labelling practices. A naturalistic approach towards gangs was used by Thrasher (1927). A gang genus database could be created that was informed by both qualitative and quantitative research in each of the cities purported to have gangs This would ensure there is a limitation on North American understandings of gangs and a true reflection of what gangs in Britain are to emerge which was based on both young people and practitioner perceptions.

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