‘Gang war’ declared on organised thugs to help young people escape life of violence

12 April 2012

Gang members could be banned from entering rival territory or wearing distinctive "colours" such as bandanas under new powers unveiled today.

The new "gang injunctions" will also allow courts to ban people from going out in public with "weapon dogs" or from using the internet to organise or encourage violence.

Further potential rules will require gang members to report regularly to police and also to attend mentoring programmes to help them escape from a life of violence.

The move comes into effect from next month for adults aged 18 and above — but similar rules applying to young people aged 14 to 17 will be tested in the spring.

Home Office minister James Brokenshire, who announced the new powers during a visit to Waltham Forest today, said the aim was to stem the level of violence and intimidation.

"Gangs cause significant and lasting harm to our communities through fuelling violence — creating an atmosphere of fear and drawing young people into criminality," he said.

"These new powers will help police and local authorities tackle local gang problems by placing tough conditions on the behaviour of individuals involved in gang-related violence and providing strong support to those who want to leave violent gangs."

The legal reforms will allow police and local authorities to apply to the courts for "gang injunctions" restricting members' activities in a range of different ways.

The civil injunctions, which will require less proof than that needed to bring a criminal prosecution, will last for up to two years and will apply to those who can be shown to have "engaged in, encouraged or assisted" gang-related violence.

One aim is to prevent the "postcode" disputes, which sometimes cause clashes between rival London gangs, by barring members from entering particular areas.

Another option will be for the courts to ban the wearing of "gang colours" — such as distinctive hats, bandanas, shirts or other items — which can also help to fuel violence.

Ministers also believe that the option for "positive" action, such as attending a mentoring course, will help to achieve a longer-term solution by providing ways in which gang members can be drawn away from offending.

Officials emphasised that despite the introduction of the new injunctions, those gang members who engage in violence where a criminal offence can be proved will still be prosecuted.

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