Birmingham schools at risk of feeding gangs

Mar 24 2009 by Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

EIGHTY-three Birmingham schools were today named as being at risk of becoming “feeder” schools for the city’s most violent gangs.

Sixty-four primary, 19 secondary schools and three colleges which may be targeted for recruitment by the gangs were identified.

They were named online and in a controversial document which claimed that the schools may be unaware of gang culture or “in denial” about it.

The report, called Street Influence, claimed the schools either fall into catchment areas for the city most notorious gangs, the Burger Bar Boys and the Johnson Crew, or into a “crossover” zone – where they at risk from both.

Schools which the Burger Bar Boys may target were said to be in the north west of the city, while it is feared future members of Johnson Crew could emerge from those in the Aston, Nechells, Saltley and Erdington areas.

A city MP and a senior councillor today branded the listing of the schools as “outrageous and irresponsible.”

Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood said it looked like a “feeder” list for gangs, while Coun Jon Hunt claimed it would “stigmatise” children and demanded its withdrawal.

But the Birmingham Mail today publishes the list in full to ensure that parents too can be aware of the potential threat.

See the list here

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