Young people give advice on tackling gangs


	Policing Criminal Gangs - a report on policing strategy in West Midlands

	Coventry City Youth Council presentation


	Sandwell Shadow Youth Cabinet presentation

	Wolverhampton City Youth Council presentation

	Policing Criminal Gangs – report on 2011 youth consultation event

	Policing Criminal Gangs in the West Midlands - Report to Protective Services Committee 6 October 2011

In December 2011, young people from across the West Midlands talked to the Police Authority and West Midlands Police about the impact gangs have on their neighbourhoods, communities and schools.

Bishop Derek Webley, Chair of the Police Authority said: "It was a very timely event, because it looked at circumstances that included the disorder that took place in the West Midlands last August."

"Recently, we have seen several developments in relation to addressing gang related issues and this is a positive momentum that needs to continue," said Bishop Webley. "In October, West Midlands Police Force presented a report to the Authority’s Protective Services Committee, which provided an overview of the approach to tackling Urban Street Gangs within the area served by West Midlands Police. The report pointed out that while gangs may vary depending on the area in which they operate, the impact they have on the community is universal and went on the describe how the Force is working closely with partners to tackle these issues.

Temporary Detective Superintendent Jo Chilton, West Midlands Police Force lead for policing of Gangs and Organised Crime said:"West Midlands Police Force has a strategy for policing criminal gangs, and we are making progress which needs to continue, but the strategy will only succeed if we understand and are supporting the needs of young people. If we want their support in what we are doing, we need to create opportunities to hear what they are able to tell us."

Bishop Derek Webley said: "These young people genuinely want to work to make our communities safer and better places to live and it is something worth celebrating that they want to help us in working toward finding solutions to these problems."