Government To Target Gang And Gun Culture In Children

Government To Target Gang And Gun Culture In Children

PA

The Government is to renew attempts to intervene in the lives of young people who are at risk of joining gangs, the BBC reports.

The Department for Work and Pensions will work to deal with 120,000 problem families in England and Wales, and, where necessary, intervene even before a child is born.

Home Secretary, Theresa May, will outline details of the cross-government approach to tackling gangs today, but says it is not a 'one size fits all model', but that the government needs to step in to prevent kids becoming involved in the culture.

She says:

"It may be support to parents in terms of how they bring up a child. For youngsters at school it may be identifying those who look as if they might become gang members, helping to prevent that happening and offering them pathways out if they do become a gang member."

Iain Duncan Smith, secretary for Work and Pensions, previously said there was "pretty good evidence" gangs were at the centre of the riots which took place across the country during the summer, although Theresa May later said the "majority" of those involved were not part of gangs.

Ms May will also discuss the increasing of prison sentences for supplying guns to gang members, saying it is important to have the 'right sentences in place'.

The proposals will also see the police "flag up" convicted gang members who should be facing deportation so the UK Border Agency can take action against them.

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