National Youth Agency (NYA) new research suggests that despite the initial decrease in gang activity, gangs have adapted to COVID-19.
According to the report ’, 60,000 young people (aged 10–17) identify as a gang member or know a gang member who is a relative.’ And suggests that the spread of COVID19 amplified the risk of exploitation of vulnerable young people by gang members.
Increased vulnerabilities include:
- Family relationships: escalating conflict during the prolonged lockdown as well as increased stress due to the loss of a job or increased pressure as a key worker
- Lack of supervision: renders young people vulnerable to being targeted
- Social media: used to taunt or incite violence
- Lockdown: easier to locate a potential target
- Drugs: decrease in demand leads to gang members attempting selling drugs to younger people
Young people are isolated from their peers and at risk for grooming by adults, a tactic employed by gang members. Moreover, Leigh Middleton (NYA Chief Executive) points out that youth centers and other targeted activities have stopped, further isolating vulnerable people and depriving them of much-needed care and guidance.
The report incorporates information gathered by youth workers concerned with organized crime rise and point out the impact that closing many specialists services might have on young vulnerable people.
The report suggests four types of vulnerable people:
- ‘Missing’ or ‘staying away’ from home
- ‘Missing from education’
- ‘At risk, at home’
- ‘Risky behaviours’
National Youth Agency sets a number of priorities for the protection of young people and children:
- Essential services to incorporate youth services and youth workers given key worker status
- Incorporate youth services in Violence Reduction Units in order to meet the current needs
- Set a Youth Service Guarantee to ensure long term funding allowing for the increase of youth social workers.
- A cross-departmental strategy on child criminal exploitation should be implemented by the government and backed up by further statutory changes.