West Midlands Police boss calls for youth gangs probe

Jul 23 2008

THE chairman of West Midlands Police Authority has called for greater work to address issues surrounding young people which have been identified as the No.1 concern for residents.

Coun Diana Holl-Allen said on-going police surveys had shown most people were now less concerned about crime than they were about the behaviour of young people.

She asked agencies to work together to find solutions that will help young people feel more accepted and part of their neighbourhoods.

The call was made to crimefighters, politicians, faith leaders and community groups during the police authority’s annual dinner at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Coun Holl-Allen said: “The key issues people are most concerned with relate not to crime, but to young people’s behaviour. These concerns include anti-social behaviour and graffiti, but more often than not, it is not about young people misbehaving or getting into mischief.

“Most often, it is simply because they are hanging around in groups, causing concern just by being there.”

When asked why they hung around in gangs, young people said it was because they felt safer and less likely to be attacked, Coun Holl-Allen added.