1. Tackling Gangs Action Programme DCC Jon Murphy European Serious Organised Crime Conference 4 th - 6th March 2008 1

2. TGAP aim “To build on existing work to reduce serious violence, particularly the use of firearms, perpetrated by young people as part of gang-related activity, initially in four target cities but ultimately across the whole of England and Wales”

3. What is the problem? the national scope The number of recorded offences involving firearms decreased by 13 per cent last year and is the lowest number recorded since 2000/01(excludes air weapons). 1% of violent incidents in 2006/07 used firearms (BCS). Firearms were used in 59 homicides in 2006/07, compared to 49 recorded in 2005/06. The proportion of homicides involving firearms (i.e. shootings) has remained at or below 12% since 1998/99.

4. What is the problem? the regional perspective 57% of all non air-weapon firearm offences, and the majority of firearm homicides, have taken place in the Metropolitan, Greater Manchester and West Midlands police areas. Proportionally, London, Manchester, West Midlands and Merseyside have the four highest recorded offences per 100,000 of the population (06/07 data) These four areas are well above the average for England and Wales.

5. Source: ¨ Carry and use weapons for protection and robbery ¨ Escalated levels of violence ¨ Some level of organisation structure ¨ Low level disorder ¨ Alcohol and drunkenness ¨ Anti-social behaviour Escalation of violence/ criminality Source:Metropolitan University; A Strategic Response to Violent GangsAdapted from Simon Hallsworth, Department of Applied Social Science, London n n Peer groups Organised crime Street gangs Peer groups ¨ Serious criminal activity–e.g. drug trade ¨ Serious criminal activity–e.g. drug trade ¨ Carry and use weapons for protection and robbery ¨ Escalated levels of violence ¨ Some level of organisation structure ¨ Low level disorder ¨ Alcohol and drunkenness ¨ Anti-social behaviour Recruitment The movement between Levels is fluid, with individuals capable of moving up and down the pyramid Age: >25 Age: 15 - 25 Age: 10 - 14 Pyramid of risk for gangs – Who is the problem Informal social control Informal social control

6. What is the problem? Young people, gangs and guns Two per cent of school children said they had carried a firearm, this proportion rose to 7% for excluded young people aged 11 to 16. (2004 Mori Youth Survey) 25% of offenders charged with gun-enabled crimes in 2005/06 were aged 17 and under. (MPS data)  Gang members are far more likely to possess weapons and guns than those who are not: 59% of current gang members have ever possessed a gun, compared to 21% of non-gang members. (Home Office survey of arrestees) Half of recently convicted firearm offenders had been in gangs. (Home Office interviews) When you have got a gun you feel that you are the man and no one can touch you. A gun makes you feel powerful… if you carry a gun you must be able to use it. …the younger youths will use it any old time these days, they are just letting off shots for fun, you get me? But the older heads now will only use them when they need to use them… Offender

7. Covert Operations Level 2 supplyPoint of entryBeyond UK Level 1Level 2Level 3 Trigger pointArmourersEntry Upstream procurement Local authorities Mediation services Housing CJS / LGJB Faith Health Social Services Community leaders Education Policing CDRP GOs Employment SOCA Cross-Force Collaboration Regional Intelligence Units Matrix / Trident / X-Calibre / BRGP HMRC SOCA BIA FCO SOCA Security Services Home Office HMRC Impact Area National Levers Firearms: From supply to use

8. Guns and Gangs - The Challenge Reluctance to give the authorities Information Community Factors e.g. low employment Inadequate risk management procedures Family Factors e.g. family breakdown Lack of sustainable funding Individual Factors e.g. drug use Limited evidence base Availability of Guns and Ammunition Lack of appropriate alternatives Lack of partnership working/information sharing Factors that contribute to the use of guns by young people as part of gang culture

9. Key Issues Firearms Supply Associated Glamour Disruption & Alternatives Sustainable Funding Risk Management Community Confidence Partnership Working Evidential Basis Supporting Witnesses Practical Guide Policy Recommendations

10. What does success look like? Our deliverables will help us… Focusing on areas in London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham, a reduction in serious violence, particularly involving the use of firearms, perpetrated by young people as part of gang-related activity Create better national policies and strategies Impact on targeted areas Create a shared understanding about what works and b etter connectivity between different agencies Short termMedium termLong term