Beverley Hughes today published a consultation on new guidance to help professionals spot the first signs of gang membership.

This guidance is aimed at professionals such as social workers, youth workers and youth offending teams already working with young people displaying risk factors. The guidance highlights risk factors which could signal towards their involvement in gangs. Some high level risk factors are:

•    Early problems with antisocial and criminal behaviour
•    Persistent offending
•    Unable to regulate own emotions and behaviour
•    Physical violence and aggression
•    Permanent exclusion from school
•    Friends condoning or involved in antisocial and aggressive behaviour
•    Alcohol and drug misuse

Link: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/docbank/index.cfm?id=12639