Street Issues - Peer Pressure
PEER PRESSURE
Be careful who you make ‘friends’ with on the streets they may be a ‘gang’ and you may find yourself pressured into doing things you do not want to.
Many young people will not realise they are in a gang, they will just think they are in a group of friends.
A gang is a group of people who may be involved in crime and violence.
Being in a gang is not illegal - only the criminal offences committed are illegal.
WHY DO YOUNG PEOPLE JOIN GANGS?
Young people can join gangs for a number of reasons –
• because they are bullied into it
• to get money from crime
• excitement
• friends
• acceptance
• a sense of belonging
• power
• protection
• territory
• respect
They think It’s glamorous
Young people may think that being in a gang is glamorous lifestyle, but the reality is that being in a gang puts you at risk of-
• dealing or taking drugs
• ending up in prison
• committing crime
• carrying and using knives and guns
• being a victim of violence or even death
There are no laws banning gangs or gang membership BUT there are laws to prevent the criminal activity that you may be involved in if you are part of gangs.
in court, if an offender is part of a gang, it could lead to a longer sentence
drugs are illegal to have or carry, you will be arrested and charged
it is illegal to carry or keep a gun without a license, including fake or replica guns, you will be arrested and charged
It is illegal to carry a knife in public without a reasonable explanation.
The law says a reasonable explanation DOES NOT include-
• carrying a knife for someone else
• carrying a knife for protection
• carrying a knife with no intention of using it
• Carrying a gun or a knife could mean being arrested, going to court and ending up with a criminal record that will affect the rest of your life. Having a criminal record can prevent you from getting a job, going to university or college, or even travelling abroad.
Be careful who you make ‘friends’ with on the streets they may be a ‘gang’ and you may find yourself pressured into doing things you do not want to.
Many young people will not realise they are in a gang, they will just think they are in a group of friends.
A gang is a group of people who may be involved in crime and violence.
Being in a gang is not illegal - only the criminal offences committed are illegal.
WHY DO YOUNG PEOPLE JOIN GANGS?
Young people can join gangs for a number of reasons –
• because they are bullied into it
• to get money from crime
• excitement
• friends
• acceptance
• a sense of belonging
• power
• protection
• territory
• respect
They think It’s glamorous
Young people may think that being in a gang is glamorous lifestyle, but the reality is that being in a gang puts you at risk of-
• dealing or taking drugs
• ending up in prison
• committing crime
• carrying and using knives and guns
• being a victim of violence or even death
There are no laws banning gangs or gang membership BUT there are laws to prevent the criminal activity that you may be involved in if you are part of gangs.
in court, if an offender is part of a gang, it could lead to a longer sentence
drugs are illegal to have or carry, you will be arrested and charged
it is illegal to carry or keep a gun without a license, including fake or replica guns, you will be arrested and charged
It is illegal to carry a knife in public without a reasonable explanation.
The law says a reasonable explanation DOES NOT include-
• carrying a knife for someone else
• carrying a knife for protection
• carrying a knife with no intention of using it
• Carrying a gun or a knife could mean being arrested, going to court and ending up with a criminal record that will affect the rest of your life. Having a criminal record can prevent you from getting a job, going to university or college, or even travelling abroad.