Everyone wants to feel safe, no matter if it’s in their own home, walking down their local high street or on a night out with a few friends. A sad fact for many of today’s younger generation is staying safe means belonging to some type of gang. Paradoxically giving them a sense of security and belonging while thrusting them to very edge of harms way.

Gang culture is an underlying part of everyday life in Britain. Gang culture has no confines, therfore it can be found in most villages, towns and cities. Most gangs are run by some type of hierarchy and in a survey carried out earlier this year it was reported that more than 13% of gang members admitted carrying some type of weapon for use as protection whether it be a penknife, flick-knife or gun.

As we approach bonfire night tonight and then the traditional Christmas party season – most parents will be wondering what their kids will be doing as they pass through their front doors and off into the evening. It’s worrying to read that violent crime happened more on our streets in the last year than at any other time in the past decade. It’s estimated that a random attack in the UK happens every 30 seconds.

Binge drinking and youths carrying weapons are the main driving force behind street violence – turning everyday neighborhoods into no-go areas. Mobile phones and the internet drive gang culture – social media sites are used as online trophy rooms for the latest gang activity and bragging platforms. As parents we want to protect our children from harm, now we must protect them from harming others as well. Know what your child is getting up to, don’t think that gang culture is merely rooted to the poorer areas within the UK.

Remember, under-age binge drinking, brings about aggressive and anti-social behaviour and reduces inhibitions making youths far more vulnerable to confrontation and injury.