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Local perspectives in Ending Gang and Youth Violence areas

Perceptions of the nature of urban street gangs

by Emma Disley, Mark Liddle

To improve understanding of how local experiences of street gangs may have changed recently, and to better understand the national gangs picture and the challenges and emerging threats facing local areas, the UK Home Office commissioned RAND Europe to deliver research in 33 local areas which are part of the Ending Gang and Youth Violence programme. The study drew upon the experiences of practitioners from a range of agencies who are involved in formulating local responses to urban street gangs and pulled together the most recent research and practice literature. The aim was to support strategic decision making around future work to improve outcomes for individuals and communities affected by gangs and gang activity.

Please note: This report is not available on the RAND website but can be downloaded from the GOV.UK website.

Table of Contents

  • Chapter One

    Introduction

  • Chapter Two

    Estimated numbers of gangs and gang members

  • Chapter Three

    Perceptions of the defining features of gangs

  • Chapter Four

    Age of gang members and involvement of young people in gangs

  • Chapter Five

    Gang structure and initiation

  • Chapter Six

    Inter-gang cooperation and conflict in custody and the community

  • Chapter Seven

    Visibility, identifiers and use of social media

  • Chapter Eight

    Criminal activities including organised criminal activities and use of weapons

  • Chapter Nine

    Involvement of women and girls in gangs

  • Chapter Ten

    Radicalisation

  • Chapter Eleven

    Discussion

  • Appendix A

    Methods and approach

  • Appendix B

    Survey instrument

Research conducted by

The research described in this report was prepared for the Ministry of Justice and conducted by RAND Europe.

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