Gang culture and gang crime are growing in the UK, with increasingly younger people joining gangs, they often carry imitation or real firearms and knives, both for protection, to commit assaults, stabbings and shootings and to intimidate others.  Gangs chiefly consist of street-based groups of youngsters for whom violence and crime are viewed as an essential part of the gang identity and image.

Gang violence and crimes refer primarily to the criminal acts of violence, theft, and sexual exploitation, committed by gang members against members of the general public, other gangs, the police, ambulance drivers and medical staff, firefighters and business owners. Throughout the past, such criminal activities have been committed by gangs at all levels of an organisation.

• To carry a knife or similar weapon
• To threaten someone with a knife, weapon or gun
• To commit a crime with the use of any weapon – like a robbery or mugging
• To commit a crime with the pretence of having a real knife or gun.

Fact… Gangs target vulnerable young people to sell drugs.

Real Services can help schools, groups, organisations and individuals to learn and understand the signs of County Lines Grooming and recruitment and take Steps to prevent it.  County Lines is a terminology used to describe a method of organised illegal drugs trafficking. The drugs or substances are transported from one area to another, often across police and local authority boundaries (although not exclusively), usually by children or vulnerable people who are coerced into it by gangs. The ‘County Line’ is the mobile phone line used to take the orders of drugs. Importing areas (localities where the drugs get distributed) are reporting elevated levels of violence, including knife and gun-related crimes as a result of this growing trend.

Children and youngsters who are often illegally trafficked, coerced, forced or exploited into committing crimes, against their will. CCE victims require urgent safeguarding and ongoing support. Though perceptions are altering, these young people are still often criminalised by the general public and wrongly perceived as having ‘made a choice’ to take part in illegal activities.

CSE is a form of sexual abuse where criminals and gangs illegally exploit children or youngsters. The victims may be provided with drugs, money, and false affection in exchange for performing sexual activities.  Furthermore, they may trust their abuser and not actually understand that they are being abused.

CSE is a form of sexual abuse where criminals and gangs illegally exploit children or youngsters. The victims may be provided with drugs, money, and false affection in exchange for performing sexual activities.  Furthermore, they may trust their abuser and not actually understand that they are being abused.

Child Contact Interventions (CCIs) is the implementation of short-term interventions of supervised contact. CCI’s are put in place to help adults and at-risk youngsters to establish safe and beneficial contact procedures when it’s challenging to do on their own.

Real Services awareness mentoring involves inspiring young people to refocus their energies towards more meaningful pursuits in life. REAL Services use our vast experience and expertise with each individual we work with to achieve better outcomes for individuals. Consistent mentoring with trust-worthy mentors assists young people to build secure and safe relationships, develop trust, build confidence and the ability to talk about their achievements and difficulties. We engage with vulnerable and disengaged young people by providing support and guidance so they can relax, find confidence and build themselves a brighter future.