Police and council at war over Birmingham gang list
A WAR of words has broken out between Birmingham’s chief education officer and West Midlands Police over a list of city schools which violent gangs may prey on for recruits.
They have blamed each other for publishing the controversial list of 80 city schools and colleges.
It has caused a storm of protest from head teachers and politicians.
Education boss Tony Howell admitted that he did not know that the document was going to be published and accused the police of “inappropriately” adding the list to an old report.
He added that he “had a problem” with the language used by police and said: “I wish they would speak to us first.”
But West Midlands Police insisted the decision to put the list on the council website was taken by a member of the local authority.
Despite the council since removing the list, the Birmingham Mail published iton Tuesday and is continuing to publish it on its website because it feels it is important for parents as well as teachers to be informed.
In his first interview since the storm broke, Mr Howell said the Street Influence document had “escaped my filter”.
Mr Howell, the strategic director for children, young people and families, said: “This is part of an issue we have had with the police.
Full Birmingham schools list
Key: Schools with green markers deemed to at risk of "being feeders" to multiple gangs, red pins represents Burger Bar gang, blue is for Johnson Crew.
