Gang-related Violence Flashcards
What is a gang defined as?
Under s 35(5) of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 as a group that consists of at least three people; uses a name, emblem or colour or any other identifiable characteristic and is associated with a particular area.
What measures were introduced by the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to tackle problems associated with gangs?
New offences such as threatening with a knife in a public place or school and posses illegal firearms with intent to supply (s 2(A) of the Firearms Act 1968), the latter carrying a penalty of life imprisonment.
The Act also increases the maximum penalty for importation of firearms to life imprisonment (ss 50 and 5(A) of the Customes and Excise Management Act 1979).
The Criminal Justice Act 1988 has been amended to ban the sale, manufacture, rental or importation of a certain type of long knife often referred to as ‘zombie knife’ or similar (60 cm long serrated, glamourising violence).
For investigations into gang related crime the police can apply for what?
‘Investigation Anonymity Order’ for any person who gives information to the police.
Helps persuade witnesses to cooperate as it reduced the risk of reprisals from other gang members.
What is a ‘gang injunction’?
Councils and police chief officers can apply for a ‘gang injunction’ under s 34(3) of the Policing and Crime Act 2009, to forbid a person from being involved in gang-related violence or gang-related drug dealing activity.
For over 18s application is made to a high/ country court and must show evidence person has engaged in, encouraged, or assisted or needs to be protected from being dawn into more serious activity involving violence or drugs
For 14-17 year olds application is made to a youth court.
A gang injunction can last for up to two years and can prohibit a respondent from:
Associating in public with named gang members
Visiting or travelling through a particular area or areas
Being in charge of a particular species of animal (if it has been used to intimidate others)
Posting videos that promote their gang or threaten rival gangs on video sharing websites
Uploading details of gang ‘meet ups’ on social networking websites
