Crimes:
Gangs have created an organised sophisticated criminal enterprises. From 1980 to 2000 there was the beginning of the longest feud in Birmingham, a separation of estates and a fall out over something small. It was known as the infamous Johnson Crew and Burger Bar Boys. Many fear from being in either shot or stabbed within their own neighbourhoods.
SuperIntendant Tom Chisholm had highlighted the issues arising in Wolverhampton where there is a postcode war over drugs. "Organised crime groups behind the drug lines have drawn in young people who are now competing against one another". As a result West Midlands Police has increased patrols and stop and search operations.
In the north of Birmingham there are a number of notorious gangs and high profile trials highlighting rival territories. Urban street gangs are associated with postcodes including B6 covering Aston, B19 Newtown and Lozells, B18 Winson Green and Hockley, and B21 for Handsworth, B23 includes Erdington.
Another statistic:
The juveniles are being influenced by others with knives. Youth offending has risen across the country and knife crime has became a huge issue. Many of these individuals have terrorised communities, bringing destruction and death to individuals. There are more than 80 gangs that are operating across the region, some are notorious for their longstanding criminal activities.
Pierre Thomas and a 17 year old (cannot be named due to his age) received custodial sentences had killed Sekou Doucoure due to a postcode war. He was riding an electric scooter as he allegedly became strayed into a rival gang territory. Doucoure was armed with a knife had managed to run but was fired shots by Thomas. At Esso Petro Station Thomas had stabbed him to the chest with an eight inch knife. The suspects were taken into custody following the brutal killing and was found guilty of manslaughter and possession of an imitation firearm with an intent to cause fear. Thomas had told the court that there was hostility between groups from different postcodes and rivals entering into each other postcodes.
The V2 and V3 gang from the Black Country were linked by the police for the murder of schoolboy Keelan Wilson. The 15 year old was horricially murdered during a well-planned execution in May 2018. He was dragged from the taxi and stabbed more than 40 times. The killers are locked up for life, with a minimum of term of 17 years.
The killing of Dante Mulling's (alleged head of county line drug trafficking network) resulted in the seeking of revenge for the brutal stabbing a day prior. B19 gangster was stabbed 20 times had sparked the revenge shooting of Dante Mulling's. The incident allegedly led to triple shooting in Ladywood 24 hours which resulted in the murder of Dante Mulling's, despite Kimani Shaw being in intensive care and fighting for his life. Kimani Shaw was found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. This attack was well-organised despite Shaw was not accused of being part of the plot as he was in intensive care and fighting for his life: "illustrates the level of violence that was going on in the streets of Birmingham between these two gangs". It was believed that the attack on Kimani Shaw had resulted in the revenge attack of Dante Mulling's being murdered.
Gang recruitment:
There are a number of ways that gangs operate. Social media is an active method to recruit individuals especially through gang-related drill music. Young members were exploited to run drugs, carry weapons and threaten with violence. An exploiter would observe a young person, finding their vulnerabilities, creating a target, and developing their trust. Gang nominals can be found through the colour of bandanas to identify affiliation of gang members. Studies show that a child is more likely at risk of being recruited if: excluded from school, special needs, problems faced at home, issues with mental health and living in existing gang territory.
West Midlands Police:
Neighbourhood policing and 'Organised Crime and Gangs Team' unit purpose is to crack down on gang activity and stop young people from being exploited into gang life. There has been a hatred of another gang due to different geographical locations. Community intelligence is an effective mean to identify gangs, gang nominals and criminality. Local officers duty is to build trust and relationship amongst the communities. School intervention officers have an important role through identifying young people at risk of being exploited by gangs and having finding role models in these individuals. In particular, Birmingham Children Services organise mentoring and educational programmes for young people.
Until the next legal thought,
Elicia Maxwell
Articles:
https://www.servicecare.org.uk/blog/2019/01/postcode-wars-a-brief-history-of-crime?source=google.com
https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Deadly+toll+of+postcode+gang+wars+on+a+young+generation%3B+Birmingham...-a0568086765 https://www.iambirmingham.co.uk/2023/03/10/two-boys-jailed-killing-teenage-footballer-birmingham-postcode-war/
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