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Cash boost to tackle gang culture Cash boost to tackle gang culture
(about 8 hours later)
Funding to help crack down on Scotland's gang culture is to be announced by the Scottish Government. Funding to help crack down on Scotland's gang culture has been announced by the Scottish Government.
It is hoped the cash boost will help the police and other agencies tackle gangs and change the behaviour of gang members. The £200,000 package will be spent on local schemes, including workshops to tackle territorialism and build conflict resolution skills.
Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill will reveal the plans during a visit to Govan in Glasgow.
The announcement comes a week after a study estimated there were more gangs in Glasgow than in London.The announcement comes a week after a study estimated there were more gangs in Glasgow than in London.
The report was compiled by the Centre of Social Justice, a think-tank led by former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith. It is hoped the cash boost will help the police and charities tackle gangs and offer young people alternatives.
Trouble spots Specialist training for 72 police and local authority staff will be made available by a charity specialising in tackling gang culture.
The Breakthrough Glasgow report was the third in a series of reports on the social challenges facing Britain's big cities. The plans were announced by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill during a visit to Govan in Glasgow.
It stated: "There are estimated to be more than 170 gangs in the Glasgow city region - this compares to 169 identified by the Metropolitan Police Service in London, a city over six times the size. I hope we can persuade more of these youngsters involved in gangs - or on the cusp of gang membership - to think again about whether gang life is really a protection from harm Kenny MacAskill Justice Secretary
"By Glasgow's ratio of gangs to population, there would be over 1,000 gangs in London." The programmes will run alongside a police anti-violence campaign which will aim to disrupt gang activity and will focus on alcohol and the carrying of weapons.
Strathclyde Chief Constable Steve House defended his force's record of fighting gang-related crime in the wake of the report. Mr MacAskill said: "I hope we can persuade more of these youngsters involved in gangs - or on the cusp of gang membership - to think again about whether gang life is really a protection from harm.
During his visit, Mr MacAskill and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who is the MSP for Govan, will be taken to known trouble spots by the police and will also learn what is being done to tackle gang violence. "And I hope that better-informed professional staff can work with these youngsters to help them resolve conflicts without violence - using banter more readily than a blade.
"We are determined to offer more of our youngsters a chance to get out of this cycle of offending."
Way out
Last week's report - compiled by the Centre of Social Justice, a think-tank led by former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith - estimated that there were 170 gangs in Glasgow compared with 169 in London.
It said the problem was linked to poverty and deprivation and called for Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government to work together to address the issue.
Det Ch Insp Andy McKay said the police would continue to come down hard on violence and disorder.
But he added: "We need to offer those who are on the cusp of entering this lifestyle other options to harness their energy and friendship, while those who are already involved need to be given the understanding to make informed choices about their behaviour and offered a way out."