The UK Gangs Thesis Debate: Towards a Critical Realism of Gangs

Andell, Paul

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-12891-3_2

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…While supporting Harding’s (2020) evolutionary typology in relation to the grooming of locally based children and variance across the duration of missing episodes, these findings challenged common notions of child criminal exploitation related to the commuting model and gang members travelling from cities to rural areas (Coomber and Moyle, 2018). Labelled as a ‘gang problem’, with gangs being commonly seen as predominantly an issue in black communities, this has perpetuated stereotypes of young black and ethnic minority children from deprived areas, rather than increasing understanding of the nature of child criminal exploitation as a wider social and cultural issue that can affect any child (Andell, 2019; Maxwell et al, 2019). In doing so, there has been a tendency to perceive exploitation as a lifestyle choice with black children deemed to be ‘less innocent and less vulnerable’ (Davis and Marsh, 2020: 256).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Clarke’s (2019) comparative study of children known to either children’s services or youth offending teams found that gang-associated children were twice as likely as non-gang-associated children to be living with offenders. There may also be an indirect effect, with children actively seeking nurturing relationships and a sense of belonging from their wider gang ‘family’ (Andell, 2019; Clarke, 2019; Fitch, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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I’m Trying to Save My Family: Parent Experiences of Child Criminal Exploitation

Maxwell¹

2022

Youth Justice

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Despite growing awareness of child criminal exploitation, there is a dearth of evidence relating to parent views and experiences. This article presents interview findings from parents with lived experience of parenting a criminally exploited child. Early warning signs, such as behaviour changes, disengagement from school and child disappearances, were often rationalised in response to family circumstances or normal teenage development. Not knowing the child’s whereabouts, increased missing episodes and disengagement from the family prompted parents to seek help. Findings highlighted the need for parent involvement in the development of suitable responses at the individual, local and national levels.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

I’m Trying to Save My Family: Parent Experiences of Child Criminal Exploitation

Maxwell¹

2022

Youth Justice

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“…As varied as our understanding of the word "gang" is in practice (Andell, 2019), defining what constitutes gang-related homicide is also not straightforward. Whilst a small number of participants noted that victim or suspect identification through the gang matrix (an intelligence database) provided a clear indication, all agreed that gang-related homicide is much wider and embedded in far reaching associations among young people.…”

Section: Defining Gang-related Homicidementioning

confidence: 99%

“…in London; Greater London Authority, 2019), likely due to the largely differing definitions of what constitutes a gang and its policy implications (see e.g. Andell, 2019;Centre for Social Justice, 2009) and the wide statutory definition used in England and Wales which characterises a gang as consisting of at least three people and having one or more characteristics which make them recognisable as a group (Section 34(5) Part IV of the Policing and Crime Act, 2009, amended by the Serious Crime Act, 2015). Therefore, as gang-related homicide prevalence seems to be based on estimates and inferences (McMahon, 2013), it is unclear whether the original definition of gang homicide still stands today.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigative challenges relating to gang-related homicide: senior investigating officers’ perspectives

Mozova

2019

JCRPP

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide the reader with senior investigating officer (SIO) perspectives of their understanding of gang-related homicide and associated investigative challenges. Design/methodology/approach A phenomenological design was utilised in this study. In sum, 15 SIOs from the Metropolitan Police Service were interviewed using a semi-structured interview and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings It was found that the original typology of “gang homicide” might be too narrow and focus should be paid to “gang-related homicide”, characterised via motive behind the offence. This type of homicide exhibited specific characteristics (e.g. violent nature, large potential scene and pool of suspects) and investigative challenges which made it different from other types of homicide (e.g. complexity, need for more resources, managing unwilling witnesses, managing media interest, specific evidence challenges, need for thorough risk assessments). The need for expertise in the deployment of officers was highlighted and related to the desire for more continuing professional development (CPD). Practical implications Gang-related homicide is especially challenging, but due to its volume, SIOs in London developed a sort of “muscle memory” – something that other police services do not have, even though the “gang problem” is spreading outside of metropolitan areas. Support for changes (e.g. in the utility of community impact assessment) and non-standard procedures (e.g. consideration of covert operations early on) should be discussed in further training and manual development. More attention needs to be paid to the synthesis of experience, expertise and science, SIOs being especially interested in debriefs and CPD opportunities. Multi-agency training is key for homicide investigators, relating to the complex nature of gang-related homicide and relevant safeguarding issues. Resourcing is a clear issue relating to the increase in gang-related homicide, as well as its investigation. Originality/value This is the first research into investigative challenges of gang-related homicide in England and Wales, and the findings can be utilised by all police services who may be dealing with gangs in their area. The findings can also support calls for change and development within services.

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“…Different knowledge bases or philosophical positions are used in defining approaches to urban street gangs. These can be demarcated in terms of idealism, naive realism and critical realism (Matthews 2013, Andell 2015. Some criminological scholars have questioned the existence of gangs in the UK (Hallsworth and Young 2008).…”

Section: Policy Pendulums Of Denial and Repressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing a Context for Change in Gang Affected Neighbourhoods. Exploring Synergies and Discords at Micro and Macro Levels

Andell¹

2017

Procedia of Economics and Business Administration

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The paper suggests that there are similar values ie. economic success and a culture of consumerism embedded in both the legitimate and illegitimate economies. It discusses possible micro and macro interventions to reduce the strains that arise from the blocked opportunities in attaining shared values. At a local level the paper discusses an action research model to develop social capital; in the broader context the paper discusses the redistributive potential of the circular economy to facilitate interventions which reduce harms.

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The UK Gangs Thesis Debate: Towards a Critical Realism of Gangs

Cited by 3 publications

References 22 publications

I’m Trying to Save My Family: Parent Experiences of Child Criminal Exploitation

I’m Trying to Save My Family: Parent Experiences of Child Criminal Exploitation

Investigative challenges relating to gang-related homicide: senior investigating officers’ perspectives

Developing a Context for Change in Gang Affected Neighbourhoods. Exploring Synergies and Discords at Micro and Macro Levels

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