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Safe houses call for gang members Safe houses call for gang members
(29 minutes later)
Gang members who want to escape a life of crime should have access to "safe houses", MPs have suggested.Gang members who want to escape a life of crime should have access to "safe houses", MPs have suggested.
The Commons home affairs committee said living at a secret address could protect them from reprisals.The Commons home affairs committee said living at a secret address could protect them from reprisals.
It is also calling for a national strategy to cut the number of young black people involved in crime.It is also calling for a national strategy to cut the number of young black people involved in crime.
It blamed social exclusion, absent fathers, lack of role models and the influence of 'gangsta rap' although it said censorship was not the answer.It blamed social exclusion, absent fathers, lack of role models and the influence of 'gangsta rap' although it said censorship was not the answer.
It said there was "evidence to support allegations of direct or indirect discrimination in policing and the youth justice system".It said there was "evidence to support allegations of direct or indirect discrimination in policing and the youth justice system".
But it added: "The perception as well as the reality of discrimination has an impact.But it added: "The perception as well as the reality of discrimination has an impact.
"Lack of confidence in the criminal justice system may mean some young black people take the law into their own hands or carry weapons in an attempt to distribute justice and ensure their own personal safety.""Lack of confidence in the criminal justice system may mean some young black people take the law into their own hands or carry weapons in an attempt to distribute justice and ensure their own personal safety."
'Stop and search''Stop and search'
Committee chairman John Denham said there was no evidence young black people committed more crime than other groups.Committee chairman John Denham said there was no evidence young black people committed more crime than other groups.
But they were more involved in certain types of crime, including robbery, drug and gun offences. They were also more likely to be the victims of violent crime.But they were more involved in certain types of crime, including robbery, drug and gun offences. They were also more likely to be the victims of violent crime.
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 chairmanThere 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
The committee also warned about the effect of police "stop and search" policies on black community relations.The committee also warned about the effect of police "stop and search" policies on black community relations.
It found that three in four young black men would soon be on the national DNA database.It found that three in four young black men would soon be on the national DNA database.
It was therefore "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.It was therefore "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.
READ THE REPORT IN FULL Young Black People and the Criminal Justice System [1.29MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here He said the committee did not want a strategy of "letting black people off crimes they have committed" but it did want to ensure "all communities" were treated fairly by the criminal justice, education and welfare systems.READ THE REPORT IN FULL Young Black People and the Criminal Justice System [1.29MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here He said the committee did not want a strategy of "letting black people off crimes they have committed" but it did want to ensure "all communities" were treated fairly by the criminal justice, education and welfare systems.
Previous government efforts to tackle the issue of black people and crime had made no impact, said Mr Denham.Previous government efforts to tackle the issue of black people and crime had made no impact, said Mr Denham.
"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."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.
"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."
'Gangsta rap''Gangsta rap'
Social exclusion was the biggest factor in young black crime, said Mr Denham, but a "lack of father involvement and...other parenting issues" also needed to be tackled.Social exclusion was the biggest factor in young black crime, said Mr Denham, but a "lack of father involvement and...other parenting issues" also needed to be tackled.
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.
HAVE YOUR SAY There is a great deal of victimisation on the grounds of their colour Jan, UK Send us your comments
But it said that censoring "gangsta rap", hip hop music and other forms of entertainment would be "undesirable and impractical".But it said that censoring "gangsta rap", hip hop music and other forms of entertainment would be "undesirable and impractical".
It called for a more responsible approach from broadcasters who it said should work with young people on putting out a more positive message.It called for a more responsible approach from broadcasters who it said should work with young people on putting out a more positive message.
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.
It also praised mentoring schemes, which offered young black men positive role models.It also praised mentoring schemes, which offered young black men positive role models.
'Blair failure''Blair failure'
Some witnesses told the committee the media was to blame for negative portrayals of young black people.Some witnesses told the committee the media was to blame for negative portrayals of young black people.
But Opinion Leader research commissioned by the MPs suggested most people rejected racial stereotypes.But Opinion Leader research commissioned by the MPs suggested most people rejected racial stereotypes.
Conservative 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.Conservative 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."