UK's First Gang Research Centre Launched in Ealing

NCGR is facilityt based at University of West London

( Rupa Huq MP Prof Simon Harding Prof Peter John  Ruth Cadbury MP)

Ealing is home to the UK’s first gang-focused research centre.

Based at the University of West London (UWL) The National Centre for Gang Research (NCGR) will study serious youth violence, its origins and its impacts in efforts to influence government policy and help address rising problems of violence and exploitation, which can see children as young as 10-years-old recruited into gangs.

It will examine urban street gangs, the rise of 'county lines', and the impact of social media – all of which have changed the nature of crime and youth violence. 

It was launched at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday 29 October, and attended by MPs, police officers, frontline youth and care workers, as well as reformed gang members now working to support vulnerable young people.

Professor Simon Harding, Professor of Criminology at UWL, who will lead the NCGR said: "Gang culture has changed dramatically. Gang members are getting younger as children are groomed into this lifestyle only to become increasingly embedded in gang life. Amid greater competition to be noticed and to build reputation, many often use extreme violence."

"We need to drastically change our approach to how we manage these situations, using twenty-first century solutions, joint working and much greater collaboration if we are going to tackle this."

Professor Peter John, UWL Vice-Chancellor, said: "I am delighted that we are leading the way, not only in researching the causes and reasons behind a growth in youth gangs and violence, but also in developing the solutions to address this important issue."

Professor Harding has spent 35 years researching crime and community safety in UK communities, acting as a specialist adviser to bodies including the Home Office to influence government crime policy. 

5 November 2019