Youth gangs are resilient and opportunistic, and members are often enlisted by larger more organised crime networks to carry out a wide range of serious crimes (i.e., kidnapping, drive-by shootings, drug trafficking). Although there are a multitude of reports on how these gangs victimise and terrorise the broader community, much less is known about how to most effectively police them or the key factors influencing youth to join these gangs in the first place. Although poverty clearly plays a role, a more nuanced understanding of the other cultural, psychological, and environmental factors is needed. Further, it is unclear whether “postcode gangs” commit the same types of crimes throughout the country or whether they differ across location.
NSWPF is particularly interested in research into:
12.1 What are the key factors influencing participation in street and youth "gangs" operating in various parts of Western Sydney? Are there commonalities in the worldwide policing approach to this problem that are either exacerbating or reducing the impact of this crime on communities? Consideration should also be given to multi-governmental level agency support in response to this question.
12.2 What crime types can be most commonly associated with territorial, gang or postcode affiliations. Review the existing Prevention, Disruption and Response strategies and ascertain what has been effective, what has not worked, and what is still under evaluation. This should be focused on affiliated violence and the ability to reduce, negate these groups. A key outcome of the research should also address the emerging impact of social media and effective and or potential strategies to positively impact this space as a police force.
12.3 Examine the factors that lead to and encourage cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) youth involvement in criminal activity (i.e., gangs and organised crime networks).