A gang is a group of people who may be involved in crime and violence. Many young people will not realise they are in a gang, they will just think they are in a group of friends. Being in a gang is not illegal - only the criminal offences committed are illegal.
Young people can join gangs for a number of reasons:
Children may think that being in a gang will give them a glamorous lifestyle, but the reality is very different. Being in a gang puts children and young people at more risk of:
Although there are no laws banning gangs or gang membership, there are laws to prevent the criminal activity of gangs. These laws include the following:
The law is also very strict on knife possession. It is illegal to carry a knife in public without a reasonable explanation. In the eyes of the law, a reasonable explanation does not include:
Carrying a gun or a knife could mean being arrested, going to court and ending up with a criminal record that will affect the rest of that person’s life. Having a criminal record can prevent people from getting a job, going to university or college, or even travelling abroad.
Parents
