Youth Gangs

Abstract
Youth gangs pose a considerable problem to contemporary society; a notion which is substantiated by the government who have invested £4m from 2011-2013 in an attempt to tackle the issue. Research into why young people engage and desist from gang activity has been sparse, suggesting that further research into the topic is necessary in order to prevent and deter young people from engaging in gang activity. The main aim of this research is to examine the central research question:
„Why do young people get involved and desist from gang activity?‟
This research explores some of the key factors which are influential in young people joining and leaving gangs, in order to attempt to outline areas where effective interventions could be implemented.
A qualitative cross-sectional research design is complimented by the
A broad literature review has been undertaken exploring possible factors which may contribute to young people‟s involvement with and desistance from gang activity. Recurring themes were then selected to inform the primary empirical research that has been undertaken here. The findings of the literature review formed the basis of the qualitative semi-structured interviews, with recurrent themes reflected in the key questions which were asked to all participants; youth offending staff members. The interview process was designed to reflect the key themes unearthed in the literature review, whilst its semi- structured design allows freedom and exploration into a largely untouched area of research. Thematic analysis was undertaken following the primary research; allowing juxtaposition between the themes identified in the literature review and those obtained by the primary research undertaken here. By comparing these sources, it is hoped that strong themes