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| Safe houses call for gang members | Safe houses call for gang members |
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| Young black gang members wanting to escape criminal life should have access to "safe houses", MPs have suggested. | Young black gang members wanting to escape criminal life should have access to "safe houses", MPs have suggested. |
| The all-party Commons home affairs select committee said living at a secret address could protect such youngsters from reprisals. | The all-party Commons home affairs select committee said living at a secret address could protect such youngsters from reprisals. |
| The idea is part of a call for a national strategy to ensure black people are treated fairly by the justice, education and welfare systems. | The idea is part of a call for a national strategy to ensure black people are treated fairly by the justice, education and welfare systems. |
| MP John Denham said government policy had not had "any significant impact". | MP John Denham said government policy had not had "any significant impact". |
| Mr Denham, chairman of the all-party committee, said: "We think there needs to be a closer attention on the way we can enable young people to escape from involvement in criminal groups and criminal activities. | Mr Denham, chairman of the all-party committee, said: "We think there needs to be a closer attention on the way we can enable young people to escape from involvement in criminal groups and criminal activities. |
| There are many cases where young people who will have been involved in crime will wish to move out of it John DenhamHome Affairs committee chairman | There are many cases where young people who will have been involved in crime will wish to move out of it John DenhamHome Affairs committee chairman |
| "Safe houses were one of the ideas that we thought was worthy of study. | "Safe houses were one of the ideas that we thought was worthy of study. |
| "Young people's behaviour changes and there are many cases where young people who will have been involved in crime will wish to move out of it." | "Young people's behaviour changes and there are many cases where young people who will have been involved in crime will wish to move out of it." |
| The report calls for a national strategy to ensure black people are treated fairly by the criminal justice, education and welfare systems. | The report calls for a national strategy to ensure black people are treated fairly by the criminal justice, education and welfare systems. |
| Mr Denham said there was no evidence young black people committed more crime than other groups, but they were arrested more for certain types of crime, including robbery, drug and gun offences. They were also more likely to be the victims of violent crime. | Mr Denham said there was no evidence young black people committed more crime than other groups, but they were arrested more for certain types of crime, including robbery, drug and gun offences. They were also more likely to be the victims of violent crime. |
| He said the committee did not want a strategy of "letting black people off crimes they have committed" but wanted to "bring everyone into kilter across all communities". | He said the committee did not want a strategy of "letting black people off crimes they have committed" but wanted to "bring everyone into kilter across all communities". |
| The committee looked at why young black people are more likely than other races to be stopped by police, arrested, convicted and jailed. | The committee looked at why young black people are more likely than other races to be stopped by police, arrested, convicted and jailed. |
| Social exclusion was a key factor in young black people being over-represented in the criminal justice system, with a "lack of father involvement and...other parenting issues" also featuring, the committee said. | Social exclusion was a key factor in young black people being over-represented in the criminal justice system, with a "lack of father involvement and...other parenting issues" also featuring, the committee said. |
| Gangsta rap | Gangsta rap |
| While 22% of white British children were in single-parent families, the report said 59% of black Caribbean children were in the same situation. | While 22% of white British children were in single-parent families, the report said 59% of black Caribbean children were in the same situation. |
| Lacking positive male role models, many young black men look to music and films that glamorise violent lifestyles, the committee said. | Lacking positive male role models, many young black men look to music and films that glamorise violent lifestyles, the committee said. |
| But it said that censoring "gangsta rap", hip hop music and other art forms would be "undesirable and impractical". | But it said that censoring "gangsta rap", hip hop music and other art forms would be "undesirable and impractical". |
| The committee also suggested that "internal exclusion" for disruptive schools pupils be developed. | The committee also suggested that "internal exclusion" for disruptive schools pupils be developed. |
| "Internal exclusion" involves allowing disruptive pupils to remain in school, but separated from other pupils during lessons and breaks. | "Internal exclusion" involves allowing disruptive pupils to remain in school, but separated from other pupils during lessons and breaks. |
| White criminal 'advantage' | White criminal 'advantage' |
| Mr Denham also highlighted research which suggested three in four young black men would soon be on the national DNA database. | |
| This meant it was "an advantage to be a white criminal because you are less likely to be on the DNA database," said Mr Denham, who called for a government investigation into the issue. | This meant it was "an advantage to be a white criminal because you are less likely to be on the DNA database," said Mr Denham, who called for a government investigation into the issue. |
| Some witnesses to the committees were concerned about media distortion of young black people's involvement in crime - but research commissioned by the MPs suggested most members of the public rejected racial stereotypes. | Some witnesses to the committees were concerned about media distortion of young black people's involvement in crime - but research commissioned by the MPs suggested most members of the public rejected racial stereotypes. |
| Opinion Leader focus groups carried out in four cities in England and Wales in November 2006 found that "while the media often makes a connection between young black people and criminal behaviour, this link does not feature strongly in the public's consciousness....most are keen to reject racial stereotyping." | Opinion Leader focus groups carried out in four cities in England and Wales in November 2006 found that "while the media often makes a connection between young black people and criminal behaviour, this link does not feature strongly in the public's consciousness....most are keen to reject racial stereotyping." |
| The Conservatives said the report showed Prime Minister Tony Blair had failed to get "tough on crime". | The Conservatives said the report showed Prime Minister Tony Blair had failed to get "tough on crime". |
| Tory home affairs spokesman James Brokenshire said: "Despite the prime minister's promises, soaring crime rates show that Tony Blair has failed to be tough on crime. | Tory home affairs spokesman James Brokenshire said: "Despite the prime minister's promises, soaring crime rates show that Tony Blair has failed to be tough on crime. |
| "Evidence like this demonstrates equal failure on dealing with the causes of crime." | "Evidence like this demonstrates equal failure on dealing with the causes of crime." |