Creating more positive alternatives for young people key to breaking down gang culture - Brown (Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats)

Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats <info@aberdeensouthlibdems.org.uk>

Creating more positive alternatives for young people key to breaking down gang culture - Brown

August 4, 2009 3:55 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Commenting on research which shows that the fear of gang attacks is stopping young people in Glasgow from straying from their neighbourhoods, Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson and Glasgow MSP Robert Brown said:

"This is a longstanding problem and the research will come as no surprise to police and youth workers. It is, however, a further reason why Strathclyde's police forces funding gap must be addressed as a matter of urgency.

"Very good work is being done by projects like Operation Reclaim with the full support of the police to break down gang barriers. We cannot afford to see a reduction in police strength if these efforts are to succeed.

"Breaking down gang barriers is also key to reducing the number of people who feel impelled by peer pressures to carry knives or weapons, supposedly for "self defence". The more positive alternatives there are for young people, the more the gang culture can be broken."

Ends.