Speaking Out on gun, knife and gang crime – British Youth Council

The British Youth Council (BYC) – a youth-led volunteering and campaigning organisation bringing together local councils of young people around the UK - believes that it is important that young people are seen as part of the solution, not just as the problem. In addition, solutions which affect young people are undoubtedly more effective when young people help design them.

This funding enabled young people to participate in constructive debate on the important issue of knife, gun and gang crime, and influence significant decision-makers. To gauge young people’s opinions on this issue, BYC conducted an online survey of young people aged 13 to 26 throughout the UK. Key messages from the survey included that top reasons for young people carrying knives or guns were to gain respect, to gain a certain ‘image’ and because of peer pressure. Reasons why some young people get involved with gangs included having a sense of identity, because of peer pressure and because friends or family are already in the gang.

Respondents also said that out of all potential solutions they particularly supported ex-gang members educating young people about the reality of being in a gang, better ways to deal with young people who are excluded from school, increasing employment opportunities for young people in the community and finding ways out for those who get involved in gun, knife or gang crime to get out such as safe houses. A delegation of young participants then presented these findings to MPs and civil servants, including Vernon Coaker, Minister for Crime Reduction at the Home Office, at an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Youth Affairs in June 2008. In addition, the young participants made a short film of the project which was made public to through BYCTv and promoted throughout BYC’s
network.