NEWHAM GANG AND FIREARM UNIT DC Mike SMITH

NEWHAM GANG AND FIREARM UNIT DC Mike SMITH 1

Newham Gang and Firearm Unit Gang landscape in Newham • Historically there have been post code tensions between all Newham Gangs. • Currently in the North of the Borough we have seen allegiances not seen before and crossover of gang members between gangs. • The current main tensions are between gangs in the north of the Borough versus South • This has resulted in an increase in violence across the borough this year with 4 gang related murders, of which 3 a gun has been the weapon used. 2

Woodgrange Gang Blackwater Close Gang Maryland Gang Portuguese Mafia Warrior Square Gang P- Road Gang Beckton Gang Stratford Boys Gang Chadd Green Gang Custom House Gang 3

Newham Gang and Firearm Unit Gang Matrix • At any one time Newham Gang matrix has approximately 200 members shown. Experience has shown monitoring more is unmanageable. • • • Beckton (32 – 9 in custody) Custom House (61 - 30 in custody) Chadd Green (29 - 13 in custody) Woodgrange (30 – 10 in custody) Stratford (19 – 8 in custody) Maryland (21 - 5 in custody) 4

Newham Gang and Firearm Unit WHAT WE DO • Reactive Gang crime investigations • Proactive enforcement / warrants / surveillance • Suppression Patrols • Weapon Sweeps • Gang Matrix visits and Matrix administration • Intervention / Diversion with partners • Manage Gang related threats to life • Manage / Action all firearm related intelligence 5

Newham Gang and Firearm Unit Aims and Objectives • Remove young people from the cycle of gang related crime • To Safe guard young people and divert them from being drawn into a gang lifestyle of violence and County Lines. • Reduce serious youth violence • Reduce gun / knife enabled crime • Disrupt gang tensions and criminal networks involved in drug supply • Targeted stop / search in identified hotspot areas 6

Newham Gang and Firearm Unit WHY DO YOUNG PEOPLE JOIN GANGS • Being part of a larger gang family and the comfort that affords • There is seldom a Father figure or suitable role model • Peer pressure is immense • Little or no respect for authority • Poverty and expected unemployment • Social media and music sells gang life as a viable alternative to conforming to 9 - 5 job • Bullied into gang membership • Expectation of conforming to gang lifestyle due to area (particularly Custom House) 7

Newham Gang and Firearm Unit POTENTIAL STRATEGIES, AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT • Early intervention with young people in schools targeting 1 st/2 nd year of secondary school to de-glamorise gang life and the risks around the carrying of weapons. (A development on the young citizen programme already in place) • To address intelligence gaps and Information on gathering to build from Schools by providing reassurance to families of those affected. • Weapon sweeps and knife arches at key locations, i. e schools and youth centers. • Ending Youth Violence Prevention Matrix to identify siblings and other young people who may be at risk of being exploited into the gang life style and who are not currently monitored by partnership agencies and Safeguarding teams. 8

Newham Gang and Firearm Unit EMERGING THEMES • More recently there has been an increase in the weapon of choice being noxious substance. • This can range from strong chemical acid to everyday items that can be found in the household. • These items are not an offensive weapon per se but can have maximum affect on the intended target and often leave life changing injuries. • This makes noxious substance a preferred weapon of choice when committing robberies and attacking rival gang members. • Charges for persons arrested for these are seldom authorised. 9

Newham Gang and Firearm Unit COUNTY LINES • 'County line' is where a person, or more frequently, a group from an urban area crosses one or more police force boundaries to a more rural or county force, setting up a secure base to conduct day to day drug dealing. • The ‘County Lines’ issue largely relates to the supply of heroin and crack cocaine. • Site Selection is based on ease of establishing a new market and potential familial links. • Establishment of a county line is achieved through exploitation of both vulnerable people and drug addicts in the local area. • A “County Line” describes a method used by City gangs to extend their drug dealing network into new locations. • The gang will use a telephone number / “drugs line” to market their business and contact customers to sell them Class A drugs at street level. • It enables gangs to exploit vulnerable adults and children and has the associated criminality linked with Class A drug use. • Why? – Vastly improved profits and anonymity with local Police 10

Newham Gang and Firearm Unit COUNTY LINES - Logistics • Once established junior members (Younger's) both male and female are encouraged to run local county lines. • The younger's are male or female aged 12 -17 and are often recruited from school's and colleges. Younger's are ‘promised’ £ 50 - £ 100 per day to operate a phone line 24 hrs. This is on the condition that they agree to go "missing" for a number of days. • • Rail, hire cars, taxis and local users vehicles are main transportation methods. • Violence is used in establishing the county line, securing the county line and removing competition. 11

Newham Gang and Firearm Unit PARTNERSHIP APPROACH • • • We cannot arrest our way out of this problem. Success lies with a variety of partners working together Outreach teams Youth Offending Teams Probation Service Voluntary Groups, such as drug referral clinics Business Partners Schools Safeguarding / MASH Gang Exit programmes Conflict Management Resolution Local Councils 12

Newham Gang and Firearm Unit CSE & Safeguarding Think SAFEGUARD when trying to identify those under 18’s at risk of CSE S A F E G U A R D • • • - Sexual health and behavior - Absence - Familial physical/sexual abuse and/or problems at home - Emotional and physical condition - Gangs, older age groups and involvement in crime. - Use of technology and sexual bullying - Alcohol and drug misuse. Problematic substance use. - Receipt of unexplained gifts or money. - Distrust of authority figures.

Signs & Advice for Parents & Guardians • Sharp knives going missing from the kitchen • VP has new trainers, clothes, electronics, etc. that they didn’t buy and unaware who did • Your child staying out later at night • Unexplained truancy from school • Train or bus tickets for unexplained journeys to new towns or cities • Additional mobile phone and/or SIM cards • Increased secrecy around mobile

What is required from you? A young person’s involvement in county lines activity often leaves signs. A young person might exhibit some of these signs, either as a member or as an associate of a gang dealing drugs. Any sudden changes in a young person’s lifestyle should be discussed with them. Our Duty Of Care Any practitioner working with a vulnerable person who they think may be at risk of county lines exploitation should follow their local safeguarding guidance and share this information with local authority social care services. If you believe a person is in immediate risk of harm, you should contact the police.

Referral Options www. princes-trust. orguk 0800 842 info@stgilestrust. org. uk 020 7708 8000 Firesetters@london-fire. gov. uk 020 8555 1200(x 30842) www. mosaicnetwork. co. uk 02075668650 mosaic@bitc. org. uk London. Gang. Exit. Referral@londoncrc. org. uk 07850 282499 empower@saferlondon. org. uk aspire@saferlondon. org. uk 0207 021 0301

Newham Gang and Firearm Unit We welcome any questions.

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