Commission on Gangs and Violence: Uniting to Improve Safety
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Commission on Gangs and Violence: Uniting to improve safety November 2017 Rev Dr. Carver Anderson Contents Abbreviations 4 Letter to Commission 5 Acknowledgements 6 Foreword 9 Report Summary 11 1. Introduction 1.1 Background to Commission 23 1.2 Why another report? 24 1.3 Key factors explored 25 1.4 Intended outcomes 26 1.5 Report structure 27 2. Methodological considerations 2.1 Introduction 27 2.2 Mixed methods approach 28 2.3 Ethical and sensitivity issues 28 2.4 Field work 28 2.5 Time scales and analysis 31 3. The Birmingham context: understanding the issues and challenges 3.1 Introduction 33 3.2 Interpretations and perspectives regarding gangs and violence in 34 Birmingham –views from social research studies and reports 3.3 The current issues and challenges 38 3.4 Interventions and responses to gang-associated criminality and 47 violence 2 4. Community-led research: results, rationales and recommendations 4.1 Introduction 49 4.2 Criminal Justice and public health considerations 51 4.3 Gang labels – contested and reinforced 55 4.4 Community-involved and community-led partnerships 61 4.5 Individuals and families (‘street’ and ‘natural’) – support structures 64 and interventions 4.6 Education training and preventative considerations 68 4.7 The voices of young people (‘uninvolved’, ‘gang-associated’, 71 ‘victims’ and ‘perpetrators’) 4.8 Specialist providers and culturally competent grassroots 79 organisations 4.9 Faith groups – an untapped component 84 4.10 Prison influences 91 4.11 Statutory and business sector responses 94 5. Framework for building effective community-involved partnerships 5.1 Introduction 99 5.2 Trust, moral dilemmas and confidence factors 99 5.3 Leadership, ownership and sustainability 102 5.4 Conceptual framework: towards effective partnerships 104 6. Concluding Reflections 10 6 Appendices Appendix 1 Commission on Gangs and Violence Management Plan 110 Appendix 2 Faith Groups – Common Grounds 119 Appendix 3 Birmingham City University Research Partnership 120 Bibliography 123 3 Abbreviations BYM Black Young Men BAME Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic BME Black and Minority Ethnic BRGV Birmingham Reducing Gang Violence CIP Community-Involved Partnership CLP Community-Led Partnership CRC Community Rehabilitation Company CSP Community Safety Partnership FG Faith Group PCC Police and Crime Commissioner SP Specialist Providers USG Urban Street Gangs UK United Kingdom USA United States of America WMP West Midlands Police YOS Youth Offending Service 4 Chair of Research Team: Rev Dr. Carver Anderson, Associate Researcher Birmingham City University Curzon Building Birmingham B4 7BD The Chair of Commission: Bishop Derek Webley The Police and Crime Commissioner: Mr David Jamieson Lloyd House Colmore Circus Queensway Birmingham B4 6NQ Dear Commission Chair and Police and Crime Commissioner, On 16th March 2016, the Commission on Gangs and Violence was launched. I was asked to lead the research aspect, to critically explore the challenges, concerns, interests and issues associated with the rise in serious violence and gang related activities in Birmingham, which has resulted in life changing injuries and the loss of lives. The Commission acknowledged that the 2016/17 increase in violence, the use of firearms and knives is at a level that requires effective partnerships to tackle the associated challenges. It was therefore agreed from the outset that the research would consider what an active ‘community-involved’ and community-led partnership should consider in exploring solutions. From the outset, Professor Steve Garner, Head of Criminology and Sociology at Birmingham City University, supported the process with academic and ethical research input and advice. The research has also been supported by Dr. Geraldine Brown, Bishop Dr. Delroy Hall and Mr Paul Grant, who undertook consultations with decision makers across the statutory, private and voluntary sectors and interviewed specialist providers (see profiles in appendices) actively working in communities across the city. It is from the research process that we offer recommendations to the commission and other stakeholders. Rev Dr. Carver Anderson 5 Acknowledgements: This report would not have been possible without the diverse contributions of the individuals and groups acknowledged below. Their thoughts, experiences and insights offer both empirical and anecdotal data that have allowed a greater understanding of the increase in gang-associated activities, the use of weapons and incidence of serious violence in some Birmingham neighbourhoods over the past eighteen months. It is from this understanding that key recommendations have emerged. Thanks to the individuals and families from communities across Birmingham who gave their views to researchers and specialist providers (SPs). These included victims and perpetrators, as well as some of their families and friends. Some shared their ‘realities’ of losing loved ones to violence, their experiences of the criminal justice system and efforts to keep themselves and others safe. During the research process some families found themselves re-living the pain and memories of losing a family member to gang-associated violence. This brought the research into a sharper focus regarding the devastation caused in some neighbourhoods. Thanks to the Walker Family for contributing a personal testimonial included in this report. The murder of Anthony Walker, son and brother, to youth violence still causes this family much pain. Thanks also to Alison Cope, who recalls her son Joshua, who left a voicemail telling her how much he loved her moments before he was stabbed to death. Thanks to Prisoners X and Y (both serving substantial sentences for their involvement in life 'on road') for underlining the importance of efforts to help people live long and crime free and enjoy positive living. Thanks to the team of SPs: Mohammed Ashfaq (KIKIT Pathway to Recovery), Joan Campbell (Community Vision West Midlands), Bobby Dennis (Community Outreach and Facilitations), Nathan Dennis (First Class Legacy), Lloyd Robinson (Criminal Justice Specialist, involved up until February 2017), Lincoln Moses (Holford Drive Community Sports Hub), Craig Pinkney (Real Action UK), Tanayah Sam (TSA Projects) and Rev Robin Thompson (Bringing Hope Charity). Their experiences and skills were vital to the research because they facilitated contact with and access to the voices of young people, men and women living in communities across the city, impacted directly and indirectly by serious violence and gang-associated issues. 6 Thanks to Joe Jackson from Wolverhampton Citizens Against Crime for his critical insights into the work in the city of Wolverhampton and the 'real-life' challenges to city-community partnerships around gang violence and policing issues. Thanks to Professor Steve Garner, Dr. Martin Glynn and Mohammed Rahman from Birmingham City University for their academic support and critical reflections throughout the research. Appreciation to Adele Kalsi, the Equalities’ Manager from HMP Birmingham, who supported us in facilitating the prisoners’ focus group, and all the men who took part in the insights and stories from their lived experiences. Thanks to the Police and Crime Commissioner, Mr David Jamieson, who commissioned the inquiry, Jonathan Jardine, Chief Executive, Alethea Fuller, Policy and Commissioning Manager, Vik Mistry, Russell Fletcher and Alison Spence from the Commissioners’ Office for their support. In addition, thank you to West Midlands Police Intelligence department for their input. Thanks to Bishop Derek Webley, who chaired the commission and guided the work through some complex discussions. City and business This report acknowledges past and present initiatives aimed at tackling serious violence and negative gang-affiliated activities. It highlights the need for partnership working between statutory, community, faith, voluntary and business sectors in the development of effective and sustainable strategies and interventions. We appreciate the open and honest contributions of Councillors John Clancy (the Leader of Birmingham City Council during his interview for this report), Paulette Hamilton (Cabinet Member, Health and Social Care), Waseem Zaffar (Cabinet Member for Transparency Openness and Equality at the time of his interview for this research). Thanks to Dr. Adrian Phillips (Director of Public Health), Peter Hay (Director for People), Jacqui Kennedy (Corporate Director Place), Neil Appleby (Head of Birmingham Probation), Jane Connelly (Regional Manager – Community Rehabilitation Company), Chris Johnson (West Midlands Police Community Safety Partnership Lead), Dawn Roberts (Assistant Director Early Help, Family Support and Youth Justice), Trevor Brown (Head of Birmingham Youth Offending Service), Alex Murray (Temporary Assistant Chief Constable, Crime), Sandra Richards (Senior 7 Probation Officer – National Probation Service Multi–Agency Gang Unit), Chris Jordon and Soulla Yiasouma (Youth Service), Beresford Dawkins (Community Development Manager, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust), Elliot Mason (Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce), Richard Nicol (Executive Director, The Re Group, Social Business Initiatives), Wade Lin (Managing Director and Founder of Cleone Foods, Birmingham) and Karl George (Founder and Chief Executive of the Association of Corporate Governance Practitioners). 8 Foreword from Chair of Commission This report acknowledges some of the challenges, concerns, positive work and complexities associated with