Boulton, LJ, Phythian, R and Kirby, S (2019) Diverting young men from gangs: a qualitative evaluation. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management, 42 (5). pp. 887-900. ISSN 1363-951X

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Abstract

Purpose: Serious organised crime (SOC) costs the UK billions of pounds every year and is associated with significant negative health, social and well-being outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate whether young people can be diverted from involvement in SOC using preventive intervention approaches. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted on data collected from semi-structured interviews with practitioners involved in a six-month intervention which specifically aimed to divert “at risk” young people away from SOC involvement. Findings: Themes arising from the analysis are: risk and vulnerability factors associated with young people involved in organised crime; what worked well during this intervention; what outcomes, both hard and soft, were generated; as well as, the specific challenges to the success of preventive programmes’ success. Practical implications: Overall, the study highlights the problematic nature of diverting “at risk” youths from SOC and provides recommendations for future preventive intervention work in the field of SOC. Specifically, it suggests that longer-term interventions, targeted at younger children, may generate better behavioural outcomes if they focus on building trusting relationships with credible support workers (i.e. have lived experience of SOC). Originality/value: With a growing body of evidence suggesting that young people are being increasingly exploited for organised criminal purposes, an approach which prevents involvement in SOC makes theoretical and economic sense. However, little research has empirically tested its utility in practice. This study seeks to address this gap. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	The AAM is deposited under the above licence and any reuse is allowed in accordance with the terms outlined by the licence. To reuse the AAM for commercial purposes, permission should be sought by contacting permissions@emeraldinsight.com.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1602 Criminology
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology
Divisions:	Justice Studies (from Sep 19)
Publisher:	Emerald
Date Deposited:	28 Apr 2020 10:28
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2021 07:23
DOI or ID number:	10.1108/PIJPSM-04-2019-0043
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/12845

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