London Against Gun and Knife Crime
Working in partnership to reduce and prevent violence associated with gangs in London
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why were the London Gangs, Guns and Weapons (GGW) Practitioners Forum disbanded and what will be in its place?
- What do you mean when you talk about 'gangs'?
- Can I join the Gangs, Guns and Weapons Forums?
- How come some of the projects featured do not relate directly to gangs, guns or knives?
- How can I include my project on the Gangs, Guns and Weapons website?
Why were the London Gangs, Guns and Weapons (GGW) Practitioners Forum disbanded and what will be in its place?
The GGW Practitioners Forum and the GGW Voluntary and Community Forum were set up in September 2005 to address the problem of gun and knife enabled crime often motivated by gang membership in London.
The decision was made by the members at the GGW reduction board to disband GGW Practitioners Forums to create a series of tactical GGW cluster groups across London Key aim of the cluster group is local and cross borough tactical tasking on local violent crime nominals and issues. Partners to include Community Safety, Police, Probation, Youth Offending Teams, Education.
What do you mean when you talk about 'gangs'?
The term 'gang' is used in many different ways by the media, police, community organisations and the Government, with definitions ranging from 'a group of young people hanging around shopping centres' to 'organised criminal gangs'. The GGW Forums have adopted the following definition of a gang as termed by London Metropolitan University's Operation Cruise research study:
Relatively durable, predominantly street based groups of young people who see themselves (and are seen by others) as a discernable group for whom crime and violence is integral to the group's identity.
Can I join the Gangs, Guns and Weapons Forums?
To apply to join the GGW Practitioners Forum or the GGW Voluntary and Community Forum, please email your organisation's mission statement, a description of your current work and your website address (where applicable) to Nathan.Winch@london.gov.uk
How come some of the projects featured do not relate directly to gangs, guns or knives?
Research shows that early intervention is the key to preventing gang violence. For example, independent evaluations have shown that that in the past 10 years Kids Company has stopped 3,000 children from going to prison and committing violent crime or murder.
Many of the projects that feature on the website are projects run in schools or youth clubs which use theatre, film and workshops to communicate with young people about the consequences of getting into gangs or committing violent crime.
How can I include my project on the Gangs, Guns and Weapons website?
If you are running a project which aims to prevent young people from committing gun or knife crime, or are working with existing or ex-gang members, please complete the online form.