tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post2706126554630435622..comments2024-03-28T09:45:17.708+00:00Comments on WEMBLEY MATTERS: GANGS - Brent Council 'It's Time to Talk' event January 17th, Roundwood YC Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-82824501844478526192017-01-09T09:03:20.919+00:002017-01-09T09:03:20.919+00:00The more you post, the more obvious it is that you...The more you post, the more obvious it is that you have a professional stake in this issue. Congrats on your excellent knowledge but I'm confident Brent residents, particularly on our estates, won't buy it. There are real, deep problems in our communities and things are getting worse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-659720408516938712017-01-07T11:13:55.360+00:002017-01-07T11:13:55.360+00:00I have reprinted Cllr Zaffar Van Kalwala's art...I have reprinted Cllr Zaffar Van Kalwala's article on combatting gang culture as a contribution to the debate: http://wembleymatters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/how-we-should-challenge-gang-culture.htmlMartin Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02194641151012303116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-1666200466144292372017-01-06T15:18:32.952+00:002017-01-06T15:18:32.952+00:00I totally agree - but it's not the sole answer...I totally agree - but it's not the sole answer to Brent's gang issues.Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-38682353196633100762017-01-06T12:59:13.612+00:002017-01-06T12:59:13.612+00:00Places where children and young people can go volu...Places where children and young people can go voluntarily to hang out with friends and participate in constructive / creative activities are crucially important in breaking the cycle of violence that they can easily become involved in. Children need to feel that the are part of something as they become more independent from their family group, and venture out into the world. The Adventure Playground in Stonebridge provided just that for many young people who also belonged to local gangs. Identifying with their particular area became subsumed into the wider collective of belonging to the Centre, and this was further emphasised when they went out of London on camping trips to the New Forest and elsewhere and saw themselves as representing Stonebridge in the wider context .This positive sense of belonging is part of becoming a decent citizen, and by removing the places where young people can meet freely, with good role models and activities that capture their imaginations we are doing a huge dis-service to them, and encouraging the development of gang culture.G.Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05693258266986371077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-49765362661638312422017-01-06T10:22:57.068+00:002017-01-06T10:22:57.068+00:00I'm being slightly facetious given the straw m...I'm being slightly facetious given the straw man elements of your argument, anonymous. You're saying that rises in shootings and homicide [which there aren't, but ok, it's "ivory tower"] are linked to a reduction in youth workers.<br /><br />However, Brent's gang members average age is 24, so the impact of youth workers would be as early intervention, eg when they were young - let's say 10 years ago.<br /><br />10 years ago, I think we can agree, there were more youth workers and youth centres in Brent.<br /><br />Therefore - by the terms of your argument - the youth workers can be said to have failed as, you claim, homicide and gun crime has risen.<br /><br />In fact, therefore, it is YOU who is labeling youth work as a failure. <br /><br />In reality, Brent is a much safer place than it was 10-15 years ago. Crime has utterly dropped in that period, thanks to better policing, better partnership working, more nuanced interventions ("bureaucracy" and "ivory towers" are providing real support to the most vulnerable people - perhaps you think they should just be locked up?).<br /><br />The nature of gang activity has shifted in that time to become more about organised crime and exploitation rather than postcode violence. It's good that Brent are talking to communities about the issue, but it needs to be undertaken in the context that massive progress has been made.<br /><br />Why don't we celebrate what's good and what's worked, rather than beating everyone up all the time? Let's hope that the event next week is in the spirit of Appreciative Enquiry (eg, "these are the good things in our community, let's build upon them") rather than finger-pointing and blame-giving.Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-63702556341622218202017-01-06T08:13:39.936+00:002017-01-06T08:13:39.936+00:00And well done for condemning the entire Brent Yout...And well done for condemning the entire Brent Youth Service as a "complete failure." One of those sacked youth workers was Brent Council Employee of the Year - what does that say about the rest?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-59702317362596789252017-01-06T08:11:34.095+00:002017-01-06T08:11:34.095+00:00Sorry but this is just a bureaucratic attempt to e...Sorry but this is just a bureaucratic attempt to explain away a problem which is very obviously getting worse. Nothing personal but your arguments sound ivory tower not real world.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-80655690835728451442017-01-05T20:27:39.302+00:002017-01-05T20:27:39.302+00:00Incidentally gun crime in Brent is down 16.2%. Incidentally gun crime in Brent is down 16.2%. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-2910066452041846822017-01-05T20:11:52.157+00:002017-01-05T20:11:52.157+00:00Early intervention is absolutely key but that'...Early intervention is absolutely key but that's not the same as youth work. That's what the Working With Families programme is about. <br /><br /><br />To look at it another way, if you think that shootings and murders have risen (which I would dispute - homicide is down 50% in Brent, from 10 to 5 year on year), then surely the presence of the now-removed youth workers during the early years of those involved has been a complete failure?Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-88649118338588920832017-01-05T17:14:25.911+00:002017-01-05T17:14:25.911+00:00Sorry but that just sounds like bureaucrat waffle....Sorry but that just sounds like bureaucrat waffle. Look at the increase in shootings and murders. If Brent is leading they are measuring the wrong things. Go into St Raph's and explain that Brent is leading the way.<br /><br />And as for gang members not being children, isn't that the whole point: you invest in youth services to prevent kids entering a life of crime when they got older.<br /><br />The one part of this comment which makes complete sense is Butt building his policy around winning a brown-nosing Ministerial visit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-82726923850481934952017-01-05T16:15:08.197+00:002017-01-05T16:15:08.197+00:00I don't think we are in conflict. My point was...I don't think we are in conflict. My point was about intervention at the youngest levels where the first steps on the 'career path' into potential future gang activity may be taken. This comes into the 'prevention' aspect of Kalwala's report. I have added some detail to my post on that. Martin Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02194641151012303116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-70247061418907969812017-01-05T10:28:40.085+00:002017-01-05T10:28:40.085+00:00I'm also on my phone so don't have all the...I'm also on my phone so don't have all the links I posted last time. <br /><br />My main point was that according to the Brent strategic assessment the average age of a gang member is 24, so cuts to youth services will have a negligible impact on violence etc. Brent's gangs aren't really about kids - they are serious criminal enterprises involved in the supply and distribution of drugs across the country, and exploiting boys, girls and vulnerable people as they go. <br /><br />My other point was that the Home Office had recognised Brent as making significant improvements in tackling gangs since 2013, culminating in a ministerial visit to see how this had been achieved. The approach balances enforcement with providing support and opportunity for employment, access to mental health services etc. <br /><br />Overall my point was that this is a very difficult situation but Brent are actually national leaders in this. <br /><br />(And no, I don't work for Brent!). Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-78940346921973204062017-01-05T09:36:33.908+00:002017-01-05T09:36:33.908+00:00An interesting comment from 'James' was ac...An interesting comment from 'James' was accidentally deleted. If you read this James could you resubmit. The problem occurs when I try and okay comments via my mobile. Martin Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02194641151012303116noreply@blogger.com