Gang violence, gun crime and knife crime

Gang violence, gun crime and knife crime


Have you been affected by, or do you want to know more about, gang violence, gun crime and knife crime?

Gang violence refers to violence committed by street gangs and serious organised crime gangs or networks.

These gangs are responsible for crimes such as:

Gun crime is violence committed with the use of a gun. Most gun crime in the UK is carried out by serious organised crime gangs.

Knife crime is any crime that involves a knife or sharp object.

This includes:

  • carrying a knife
  • owning a banned knife
  • trying to buy a knife if you’re under 18
  • threatening, injuring or fatally wounding someone with a knife

Carrying knives is often associated with gang members, but this isn’t always the case. Many incidents of knife crime have nothing to do with gangs. Many young people often associate carrying a knife with status, power and control. Or they feel they need to carry a knife for their protection and safety.


How you might be feeling

Gang violence, gun crime and knife crime can have a serious impact on communities, individuals, families of both victims and gang members, and the gang members themselves, especially if they’re young people or children.

If you’ve been injured by a gun or knife, witnessed an attack, lost a loved one or been threatened with the use of a gun or knife, it can be a traumatic and life-changing experience.

Living in an area where a gun or knife attack has taken place can also be shocking and distressing.

You can be affected both physically and mentally. You might feel afraid and not want to leave your home, you might be grieving or you might be angry and have feelings of revenge.

Whatever you’re going through is completely normal and valid. You don’t need to suffer in silence. We can help you to cope and move forward.

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Get the help you need

If you’d like more information or support, contact us now.

As well as receiving help from us, you can also get support from other organisations and charities. See below or search our directory.

KnifeCrimes.Org – National charity that provides bereavement and peer support to the families and friends of victims. Information on knife, gun and gang crime. Raises public awareness for better rights for victims.

Support After Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM) – A national charity that supports people bereaved by murder and manslaughter. You can call the helpline on 0121 472 2912 or text 07342 888570.

Winston’s Wish – Charity that helps children, teenagers and young adults up to the age of 25 with bereavement support and information. It also helps adults caring for young grieving people including parents, carers, school staff and healthcare professionals. Call 08088 020 021 or email ask@winstonswish.org.

Gov.uk – Government resource for parents and carers worried about their children’s involvement in gangs.

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) – The NSPCC supports adults concerned about a child and gang activity. Call the helpline on 0808 800 5000.

Speaking Out Can Save a Life – Campaign from the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit to encourage people to speak out if they’re worried about a young person. It lists different ways to report concerns.

Family Lives – National family charity providing early intervention and crisis support to families. Call 0808 800 2222.

Mothers Against Violence – A Greater Manchester support agency founded by local people who have been affected by violent crime.

Infed.org – This not-for-profit education encyclopaedia has a serious organised crime toolkit with advice and guidance for professionals working with young people.

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How to report gang violence, gun crime or knife crime

In an emergency, dial 999. In a non-emergency, dial 101.

For more ways to report, visit Greater Manchester Police website.

If you’d like to report anonymously, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is a charity that’s entirely independent of police.

Worried about a child?

Young people join gangs for different reasons. They might join a gang to:

  • gain respect and status
  • make friends
  • feel a sense of belonging
  • experience excitement or thrills
  • find a substitute family
  • have a feeling of power
  • earn money
  • fit in with friends (peer pressure)
  • benefit from the gang’s protection

Street gangs and serious organised crime gangs are often large and structured. Gang members have varying seniority and influence. Those higher up the chain manipulate, exploit and threaten those beneath them. The people at the bottom of the chain, often young people, are instructed to carry out criminal activities.

Vulnerable young people and adults are often groomed by criminal gangs, sometimes being promised, or ‘rewarded’, with gifts for carrying out criminal tasks. They become trapped and are exploited. Violence, or the threat of violence, is often used to ensure they comply.

Usually, a sudden change in a child’s behaviour or lifestyle can indicate there’s something wrong. Here are ten signs to look out for that might indicate a child has become involved with a gang:

  1. Dressing in a specific style associated with gangs

  2. Behaving badly

  3. Talking differently, using new slang or language with an aggressive tone

  4. Doing poorly in school results or skipping school

  5. Carrying weapons

  6. Having unexplained injuries

  7. Having unexplained sums of money or new possessions

  8. Staying out unusually late

  9. Putting graffiti-style tags on possessions

  10. Listening to music that glorifies weapons/gang culture

Most people associate gangs with boys and men, but girls and women can be affected too. They may be asked to hide weapons or drugs and are sometimes targeted by male gang members in acts of revenge or initiation. Girls linked to gang members (e.g. relatives, girlfriends, friends or daughters) are at risk of emotional, physical and sexual violence.

Help for young people

You might’ve been pressured and intimidated to join a gang or groomed and manipulated from a young age. A gang member might’ve used violence or threatened you with violence to make you comply.

Or you might carry a knife for respect and status, to gain friends or on behalf of friends. Or maybe you’re being bullied at school or intimidated within the community and it’s for protection and makes you feel safe. Carrying a knife, no matter the reason, is illegal.

If you’re in a gang and want to get out, or if you’re worried about gang violence, gun crime and knife crime, there’s help available.

Contact us and we can direct you to appropriate services, or call the Childline helpline on 0800 1111 or the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.

You could also speak with a trusted member of staff at school or college. Or confide in a friend and seek help together.

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