Post by: MicroBalrog on April 15, 2008, 07:13:22 AM
Apr 15 2008 By Magnus Gardham And Paul O'Hare
HUNDREDS of gang members are to receive anger management counselling in a bid to cut street violence.
Specially-trained police will help youngsters curb their aggressive outbursts as part of the £200,000 government initiative.
Knife-wielding thugs will be taught to count to 10 to cool down instead of lashing out.
It was confirmed yesterday that more than 500 known gang members across Scotland will be targeted. They include 120 yobs in Glasgow.
Gang members will be encouraged to attend classes on anger management and "territorialism issues" as part of local projects which also involve football coaching, music, drama and other activities.
A scheme in Drumchapel, Glasgow, will offer outward bound activities to tempt teenagers to attend classes.
Anti-violence classes will be included in a bicycle maintenance course for Edinburgh gang members.
And youths in Buckhaven, Fife, will stage a play called Culture of Violence, with counselling thrown in.
In all, 19 schemes were given the go-ahead yesterday. They will be run by police officers using a "toolkit" developed by an English charity.
Police said one unnamed Glasgow gang committed 450 crimes in less than a year.
And gangs such as Young Leith Team, in Edinburgh, and Young Ardler Pirates, in Dundee, have been linked with crime sprees.
Last month, police stopped and searched 6000 people stopped in an anti-gang drive.
More than 500 weapons were seized.
But police and ministers believe a more "softly softly" approach is also required.
Speaking in Springburn, Glasgow, justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said of anger management: "The statistics speak for themselves. It works.
"Senior officers and hardened cops here say this is working fantastically well. They are amazed at the figures.
"We have kids now going into the same gang that not only their father was in but their grandfather was in! This is ridiculous and we have got to break it."
But Springburn's Labour MSP Paul Martin said: "If you live in an area affected by gang fighting, what you want is for the individuals to be dealt with rather than given a cuddle.
"It is time for Kenny MacAskill to get in the real world and deal with policing issues instead of letting people out of jail early and talking about anger management."
Post by: AmbulanceDriver on April 15, 2008, 07:15:40 AM
Post by: BlueStarLizzard on April 15, 2008, 07:17:58 AM
i have a feeling this program is gonna work on just about the same level.
Post by: The Annoyed Man on April 15, 2008, 07:21:52 AM
. NOT. A 9mm bullet to the back of the head would be a proper solution to the crime problem methinks.
Post by: Tallpine on April 15, 2008, 08:48:23 AM
Post by: Manedwolf on April 15, 2008, 08:51:17 AM
Post by: The Annoyed Man on April 15, 2008, 09:00:18 AM
How about the treatment shown in A Clockwork Orange instead?
Bad idea. It reversed, remember?
Post by: Manedwolf on April 15, 2008, 09:03:38 AM
How about the treatment shown in A Clockwork Orange instead?
Bad idea. It reversed, remember?Ah, but that's because they let him go. Who said anything about letting them go?
Post by: The Annoyed Man on April 15, 2008, 09:05:24 AM
How about the treatment shown in A Clockwork Orange instead?
Bad idea. It reversed, remember?Ah, but that's because they let him go. Who said anything about letting them go?
.
Post by: El Tejon on April 15, 2008, 09:42:04 AM
Post by: Scout26 on April 15, 2008, 11:16:35 AM
Quote
And gangs such as Young Leith Team, in Edinburgh, and Young Ardler Pirates, in Dundee, have been linked with crime sprees.
Looks like the APS Fistful's Fault will have to swing by Scotland on our way to the Horn of Africa and the Malacca Straights.
Sergeant Bob, you can club these "baby seals" all you want.
Post by: Phyphor on April 15, 2008, 11:40:36 AM
Quote
And gangs such as Young Leith Team, in Edinburgh, and Young Ardler Pirates, in Dundee, have been linked with crime sprees.
Looks like the APS Fistful's Fault will have to swing by Scotland on our way to the Horn of Africa and the Malacca Straights.
Sergeant Bob, you can club these "baby seals" all you want.
Who's up for erm....borrowing a five incher gun and welding a mounting ring on the deck? Only problem would be magazine space......
Screw it, Fistful didn't need quarters, anyway.......
Post by: Balog on April 15, 2008, 05:04:21 PM
Post by: Antibubba on April 15, 2008, 07:54:01 PM
At this point even the Royals would do a better job. Even Jug Ears.
Jeez!
Post by: Matthew Carberry on April 15, 2008, 07:57:46 PM
Post by: geronimotwo on April 16, 2008, 04:09:35 AM