Gangs Get a Bad Name

There are now more than 30，000 gang members across England and Wales and gang-related crimes cost the country billions of pounds a year.

There is nothing wrong with belonging to a gang. Gangs can be a focal point for friendships and support， and a context within which to learn important social and life skills. The sense of belonging that being part of a group can give can be a positive and a comforting thing.

Unfortunately， the number of gangs who are turning to crime—particularly in more deprived[貧困的] parts of the UK—are now giving gang culture a very bad name.

Why has gang culture become such a scar on society today？

The growth of criminal gang culture is often put down to the following issues：

A lack of facilities for young people， leaving teenagers bored and more likely to get into trouble.

The breakdown of the family unit and a lack

of good male role models.

Social deprivation.

A lack of discipline at home and school， and of soft punishments metered out by the courts.

Peer pressure and the fear of the consequences for not belonging to a gang.

Many young people say they like being in a gang because it gives them a thrill， a sense of safety， of power， excitement and acceptance.

What problems do gangs cause？

Gang-related crime， including serious knife and gun crimes， is on the rise， and it is not only innocent people who suffer： gang-to-gang violence is a major concern. And gangs can also be a centre for drug use and drug dealing. What is being done to tackle the issue？

The UK Government’s anti-gang strategy aims to：

Make punishment and prison sentences tougher.

Intervene earlier to prevent young people from wanting to join criminal gangs.

Promote more effective cooperation between the police and other agencies， like teachers， doctors and social workers.

Fun Corner

Complete the crossword with words from the article.

Across

4. a collective noun for young people

6. to stop something happening

7. someone who commits crimes

Down

1. a cause of worry

2. the time that you have to spend in jail

3. an increase in something

5. a synonym for jail

Solutions

Across： 4. youth； 6. prevent； 7. criminal

Down： 1. concern； 2. sentence； 3. growth； 5. prison