Tackling gang and youth violence
More action on gang and youth violence has been announced a year after riots devastated the UK.
The government has published an update on the Ending Gang and Youth Violence report detailing progress and setting out the next steps.
Riots
Home Secretary Theresa May said: ‘The riots of 2012 saw some of the worst violence on our streets in decades. In response, the Government launched its Ending Gang and Youth Violence report.
‘One year on, this document reflects on our achievements, and sets out our commitments for the next year and beyond.’
The report reveals government progress including:
- Making gang injunctions available for under 18-year-olds
- Introducing new offences of threatening with a knife in a public place or school
- Announcing our intention to introduce a new offence of possessing illegal firearms with intent to supply, with a tough maximum penalty of life
- Announcing our intention to increase the maximum penalty for importation of firearms, also to life
- Dedicating £1.2 million over three years to fund a network of 13 support workers for girls vulnerable to or suffering from gang-related sexual violence
The Home Secretary added: ‘We can be proud of good progress. This work is making a difference to the lives of young people across the country. But we need to go further.
‘This report sets out the ways in which the Government will continue its work in tackling gang and youth violence by supporting people working in health, education, Jobcentre Plus, community safety teams, the police, community organisations and the criminal justice system.’
The One Year On report was launched at an Ending Gang and Youth Violence conference yesterday with Crime Prevention Minister Jeremy Browne and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith.