Essex Police

<table align="right" width="136px" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="latest_updates_container">
					<tr>
						<td style="padding-bottom: 3px"><h3>Latest Updates</h3></td>
					</tr>
					<tr>
						<td>
							<table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="latest_updates">
								
								<tr>
									
										<td><a href="content.cfm?id=21" target="content" onClick="updateFlash(21);menu_switch('21');">Crimes - Public Order</a></td>
									
								</tr>
								
								<tr>
									
										<td><a href="content.cfm?id=22" target="content" onClick="updateFlash(22);menu_switch('22');">Crimes - Common Assault</a></td>
									
								</tr>
								
								<tr>
									
										<td><a href="content.cfm?id=23" target="content" onClick="updateFlash(23);menu_switch('23');">Crimes - Harassment</a></td>
									
								</tr>
								
								<tr>
									
										<td><a href="content.cfm?id=25" target="content" onClick="updateFlash(25);menu_switch('25');">Crimes - Actual Bodily Harm</a></td>
									
								</tr>
								
							</table>
						</td>
					</tr>
				</table>
			
		
			<h1>Gangs </h1>
			<P>Everyone, of whatever age, hangs around or makes friends with people they have something in common with.  For many young people belonging to a group of friends or a gang is a part of growing up and finding out about yourself.  It can be about going to the same school, living in the same neighbourhood, or belonging to the same club.  Gangs are different to random groups of people hanging about because they often have a more formal structure and they meet as a group more regularly. Being part of a gang can give you lots of positive things, like a sense of identity, status and even protection.</p>
<p>The TV and newspapers often report on the rise of gangs and gang culture in the UK.  Gangs of young people are often shown in a bad light and are blamed for anti social behaviour, litter and noise  but this is not the whole picture, for most young people a gang is really about hanging out with friends and doing things together.</p>
<p>Gangs are often based around where young people live and arguments can start over who controls different places or territory, such as local parks or public areas.  At its worst this can lead to fights and it can also mean that young people are worried or frightened about visiting places.</p>
<p>Gangs can turn from being a good thing to something that can be a problem.  Research has shown us that young people most likely to join gangs have difficulties in their lives  they dont do well at school, they know people who commit crime and have low opinions of themselves.  The areas where some people live can be a problem too, with little for young people to do and limited or expensive public transport.</p>
<p>Bullying, fighting and arguments over territory can have a big effect on young peoples lives.  Public perceptions of young people are often made worse by the bad publicity that some gangs cause, and that leads to many members of our communities being afraid of any groups of young people, whether they are gangs or not. Essex Police wants to work with our communities to overcome problems such as this. </p> 
			<div style="padding-top:10px; padding-bottom:0px; padding-right:0px;">
			 <a href="javascript:backButton()" class="orangelink">Back</a>
			</div>