Union calls for schools to recognise gang problem

The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers commissioned consultancy Perpetuity to carry out research into tackling gang culture in schools. It found that schools were reluctant to take part in case they were stigmatised.

Chris Keates, general secretary of NASUWT, said: "It is clear that gang problems need to be acknowledged by schools to enable them to be tackled head on. There is a real danger that some schools will be tempted to conceal or fail to address such problems for fear the reputation of the school will suffer. This is a common problem in relation to many behaviour issues and has to be tackled by government."

The report found that staggered school closing times and shorter lunch breaks can prevent clashes between rival gangs. The research also recommends family-based interventions, education programmes that de-glamourise the gangs lifestyle and a focus on truants and excluded pupils as absence from school places pupils at greater risk of becoming involved in gangs.

The schools used as case studies in the research found an on-site police officer to be beneficial.

NASUWT plans to follow up the research by collecting evidence of existing projects to tackle gangs in and around UK schools, and developing a good practice toolkit for schools.