University News Last updated 08 November 2013
A group of experts from across the City will be addressing the controversial issue of Birmingham youth gangs in a public lecture later this month.
The 'Understanding Birmingham Youth Gangs' event will take place at Birmingham City University on Tuesday November 12th and will bring together a range of experts who have knowledge, experience and insight in young gangs and gang-members.
Professor Craig Jackson, Head of Psychology, is organising the event. He said: "With Birmingham currently being the focus of a knife-crime debate, with many high-profile stories in the news featuring recent deaths of young people in the city, the role of gangs and gang-members in these deaths is not always clear and as straight-forward as some may believe. Some murders of young people in Birmingham are gang-related, while others are not.
"'Understanding Birmingham Youth Gangs' is a free event where students and academics alike can learn from the wisdom that professionals who deal with young gangs bring with them, which will hopefully inform academic debate and research."
The expert speaker list includes those who work with gang-members in prisons and Young Offenders Institutes, as well as the West Midlands Police Multi Agency Gangs Unit, a former member of The U.S Secret Service, Housing support agencies, the Youth Justice Board, and the Youth Offending Services.
Starting at 5.30pm at Attwood Building room 040, City North Campus, the event is free to attend and there is no need to book a place. Please email craig.jackson@bcu.ac.uk for further information.