Mums of Letisha Shakespeare and Charlene Ellis set up charity

Sep 2 2008 By Gary Marks

PARENTS are being advised today on how to spot if their child is in a gang by a charity set up by the mothers of two Birmingham gun victims.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith speaks later today at the launch of the New Year Shooting Memorial Trust in Birmingham.

The trust has been set up by Beverley Thomas and Marcia Shakespeare, whose daughters died in a drive-by shooting in Aston in January 2003.

Ms Smith was also endorsing the Letisha and Charlene Education awards, which has been running for almost three years.

That scheme, backed by the Birmingham Mail, helps young people achieve their career goals by awarding bursaries and has distributed almost £50,000 to two dozen people.

Today’s launch of the NYS Memorial Trust coincides with the publication of a booklet which talks parents through practical steps they can take if they think their child is in a gang and how to stop them getting involved in gang culture.

It suggests looking out for the teenager using new or unusual slang words, using a new nickname and suddenly acquiring new possessions or money.

Parents are advised to be involved in their child’s life, to know their friends and their friends’ families, and to encourage them to get involved in positive pastimes and activities.

The booklet advocates listening to a child’s reasons for being in a gang and talking through the consequences instead of issuing orders.

It was developed with the help of the Association of Chief Police Officers, councils and parenting organisations like the Family and Parenting Institute and community groups including Mothers Against Violence.

Ms Smith said: “All parents worry about keeping their children safe – and need support to help them to do it. They need to know how to spot if their child is involved in a gang and where to turn if they are concerned.”

Gangs: You And Your Child will initially be distributed in areas involved in the Government’s Tackling Gangs Action Programme – London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.

Letisha Shakespeare, aged 17, and Charlene Ellis, 18, were the innocent victims of a gang attack outside a New Year party.