How London Street Gangs Actually Work | How Crime Works | Insider

How Crime Works | Podcast

28 Jun 202220:15

EducationalLearning

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TLDROmar Sharif shares his harrowing experience in gang life in London, detailing the structure and operations of gangs from 2005 to 2011. He recounts near-death encounters, the hierarchy within gangs, and the recruitment process. Omar reveals how gangs exploit vulnerable youths, the role of trap houses, and the influence of social media. He discusses the challenges of leaving gang life, the importance of youth centers, and his current efforts as a mentor and coach to help others avoid his past mistakes.

Takeaways

🔪 Omar Sharif was involved in gang activity in London from 2005 to 2011, experiencing severe violence and close encounters with death.
🏢 The structure of a gang is likened to employment, with roles ranging from newbies (youngers) to middle management (olders) and higher-ups.
💰 Omar joined a gang at age 13, initially attracted by the promise of money and the opportunity to help his family.
🔗 Young gang members (youngers) are responsible for tasks like holding items, making deliveries, and following orders without question.
💼 Olders are responsible for managing drug distribution, money, and connections to higher-ups, who often have legitimate business fronts.
🏠 Gangs use trap houses or bandos for selling drugs, storing weapons, and as safe spots for members.
💉 Gang wars can start over small disputes or larger power struggles, often escalating from personal conflicts to large-scale violence.
🔪 Knives are a major issue in London, with more deaths occurring from stabbings than gunshots, partly due to less strict regulations on knife carrying.
📱 Social media and drill music contribute to gang violence by glorifying gang culture and influencing young people to imitate what they see and hear.
🏫 Omar emphasizes the importance of discipline, reeducation, and community support in preventing gang involvement, suggesting more youth centers and better policing approaches.

Q & A

What motivated Omar Sharif to join a gang?
-Omar Sharif was motivated to join a gang due to the promise of making more money, which was appealing given his circumstances growing up in a council flat estate. He was also influenced by the language used by gang recruiters, who emphasized the ability to provide for and help his parents.
What roles do 'youngers' and 'olders' play in gang structure?
-'Youngers' are the street soldiers who are newly recruited and carry out tasks such as holding items, making deliveries, and being on call. 'Olders' are like middle management; they control what gets moved in and out of areas, manage money and distribution, and have connections to higher-ranking gang members.
How did Omar Sharif get involved with a gang?
-Omar Sharif got involved with a gang at around 13 years old after being approached while selling sweets in school. He was initially scared but was convinced by the recruiter who promised that joining the gang would allow him to make more money and provide for his family.
What are 'trap houses' and their significance in gang operations?
-Trap houses, or bandos, are locations where drugs are sold and sometimes where weapons are stored. They serve as safe spots for gang members to meet and operate from. The locations of these houses are never shared over the phone to avoid traces.
How do gang wars start and what can they escalate into?
-Gang wars can start over small incidents, such as altercations at clubs or raves, which then escalate into larger conflicts involving multiple gang members. They can also be triggered by greed and the desire for power. These conflicts often expand into postcode wars involving large numbers of people.
What is the concept of 'county lines' in the context of UK gangs?
-County lines refer to the practice of inner-city gangs expanding their operations into smaller towns, cities, and rural areas. Young people are often used to transport drugs and other items to these areas, facilitated by older gang members who provide logistics and instructions.
What role does social media play in gang culture and violence?
-Social media significantly contributes to the rise of gang violence by providing exposure and a platform for gang-related content. It influences young people by glorifying gang life and violence, leading them to replicate what they see in music videos and online posts.
Why is it difficult for young people to leave gangs, according to Omar Sharif?
-Leaving a gang is difficult because it often requires completely moving away from the area to avoid retaliation or further violence. The gang culture is deeply embedded, and leaving can result in being ostracized or targeted by former gang members.
How does Omar Sharif's experience influence his current work?
-Omar Sharif uses his experience to mentor and coach young people, helping them understand their mindset and make better decisions. His past involvement in gangs allows him to have meaningful conversations and provide guidance based on real-life experiences.
What solutions does Omar Sharif suggest for reducing gang violence and recruitment?
-Omar Sharif suggests reeducating young people about the consequences of gang involvement, showing them more love, and providing them with opportunities. He also emphasizes the importance of youth centers, community involvement, and creating relationships with young people rather than relying on fear and policing.

Outlines

00:00

🔪 Gang Life and Structure in London

Omar Sharif shares his firsthand experience with gang life in London from 2005 to 2011, highlighting the structured hierarchy similar to corporate employment, with ranks from newbies to senior management. He describes the allure of joining a gang at a young age, the dangerous tasks assigned to 'youngers,' and the aspirational figures of 'olders' who control gang activities. Omar also reveals the existence of higher-level individuals deeply embedded in society, contrary to the common perception of gang members. The paragraph discusses the methods of gang operation, including the use of 'trap houses' for drug sales and the secretive communication to avoid police detection, as well as the initiation of gang wars over trivial and significant disputes.

05:04

🗺️ Territorial Disputes and the Impact of Social Media

This paragraph delves into the reasons behind gang warfare, such as greed, power, significance, and the protection of territory, with a historical context dating back to the '60s and '70s. It explains the evolution of gang conflicts from area and postcode wars to block and estate wars, reflecting increasing division. The narrative also addresses the role of social media in escalating violence, as it documents and publicizes confrontations, leading to retaliations. Omar emphasizes the prevalence of knife violence over guns and criticizes the lack of knife control and regulation, as well as the ease with which young people can access weapons. He also discusses the socioeconomic factors that contribute to gang involvement, such as wealth inequality and the allure of gang life due to a sense of belonging and financial support.

10:04

👥 Recruitment and Exploitation in Gangs

Omar describes the manipulative tactics used by gangs to recruit and exploit young members, focusing on the creation of trust and a false sense of family. He outlines the process of recruitment, which includes befriending, spoiling, and testing potential members to assess their loyalty and usefulness to the gang. The paragraph also touches on the concept of 'county lines,' where gangs expand their operations to smaller towns and rural areas, often using young people as pawns in this expansion. The influence of US gang culture on the UK is also mentioned, along with the competitive nature of gang rivalries and the role of music in glamorizing and escalating gang violence.

15:06

🚓 Policing Gangs and the Cycle of Violence

In this paragraph, Omar criticizes the current policing methods, particularly the 'stop and search' policy, which he believes is ineffective and alienating. He suggests that building relationships and understanding the language and culture of young people would be more productive. Omar also discusses the business side of prison and the continuation of gang activities within correctional facilities. He argues that wealth inequality and the illegal drug trade are significant contributors to gang violence and suggests that legalizing drugs could potentially destabilize gangs by introducing larger, more powerful players into the market. The paragraph concludes with a call for reeducation, opportunity provision, and a compassionate approach to help young people feel safe and valued, as opposed to fear-based deterrence.

20:07

🌐 The Future of Gang Culture and Personal Transformation

Omar predicts a deepening of gang culture in London over the next decade, with the potential for it to become a model for gangs worldwide. He expresses concern about the normalization and romanticization of gang life among the youth. Drawing from his own experience, he emphasizes the importance of youth centers as safe spaces for rival gangs to engage in positive activities together. The paragraph also highlights the role of schools in either exacerbating or mitigating gang culture, depending on their location and the surrounding environment. Omar calls for a united community approach to address gang violence and shares his personal journey of leaving the gang, the challenges he faced, and his subsequent commitment to mentoring and coaching others to make better decisions and understand their potential.

🌟 From Gang Member to Mentor and Coach

In the final paragraph, Omar reflects on his transformation from a gang member to a mentor and peak-performance coach. He acknowledges the regrettable aspects of his past involvement in gang activities but recognizes the unique perspective and insights these experiences have given him. Omar's current work involves engaging with individuals across various societal levels, using his own story to facilitate meaningful conversations and promote positive change. His dedication to helping others stems from his personal journey and the understanding that he would not be able to make such a difference without having lived through the challenges he faced in the past.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Gang Activity

Gang activity refers to the various illegal and often violent actions carried out by organized groups known as gangs. In the video, Omar Sharif describes his involvement in such activities in London, highlighting how gangs operate similarly to businesses with hierarchical structures, and engage in activities like drug trafficking, violence, and territorial control.

💡Olders and Youngers

These terms describe the hierarchy within gangs. 'Olders' are senior gang members who hold positions of authority and manage operations, while 'Youngers' are newer, lower-ranking members who often serve as foot soldiers. The video illustrates this dynamic, showing how Sharif started as a 'Younger' and aspired to become an 'Older'.

💡Trap Houses

Trap houses, or 'bandos', are locations used by gangs for illegal activities, particularly the selling and storing of drugs. They serve as operational bases and safe havens. Sharif discusses how these houses are critical to gang operations, often being locations for weapon storage and drug transactions.

💡County Lines

County lines refer to the practice of urban gangs expanding their drug-selling operations into smaller towns and rural areas. This often involves exploiting young people to transport drugs. Sharif explains how this expansion strategy is employed by London gangs to increase their reach and evade law enforcement.

💡Postcode Wars

Postcode wars are violent conflicts between gangs from different areas, often based on territorial disputes. These can escalate from minor incidents into large-scale violence. The video recounts Sharif’s experiences with such wars in London, where conflicts over territorial dominance led to significant gang violence.

💡Recruitment

Gang recruitment involves the process by which gangs attract and initiate new members. This often includes offering money, a sense of belonging, and familial bonds. Sharif describes how he was approached and enticed into gang life as a teenager, illustrating the methods used to draw in vulnerable individuals.

💡Knife Crime

Knife crime refers to illegal activities involving the use of knives, often resulting in violence or fatalities. Sharif highlights the prevalence of knife crime among gangs in London, noting that knives are frequently used in confrontations and are easily accessible to young people.

💡Gang Hierarchy

Gang hierarchy refers to the structured levels of authority and roles within a gang. It mirrors corporate structures with clear ranks from 'Youngers' to 'Olders' and further to unseen higher-ups who control operations. Sharif’s narrative reveals how this hierarchy operates and how members navigate their roles within it.

💡Social Media Influence

Social media influence refers to the impact of online platforms in glorifying and spreading gang culture. Sharif points out how social media exacerbates gang violence by broadcasting incidents and inspiring young people to mimic the behavior they see online, leading to increased rivalry and violence.

💡Wealth Inequality

Wealth inequality is the disparity in income and opportunities between different social classes, which often drives individuals towards gang involvement. Sharif discusses how economic hardship and lack of legitimate opportunities pushed him and others towards gangs as a means of financial support and social acceptance.

Highlights

Omar Sharif discusses his involvement in gang activity in London from 2005 to 2011.

He describes the structure of a gang as similar to employment, with different levels of management.

Sharif explains how he was recruited into a gang at the age of 13 after being approached while selling sweets in school.

He shares the dangerous experiences he faced, including being stabbed and threatened with guns and knives.

The hierarchy within gangs includes 'youngers' who are street soldiers and 'olders' who manage operations.

Sharif reveals that those at the top of the gang hierarchy are often well-embedded in society, such as in real estate.

He describes the various illegal activities gangs engage in to make money, with drug sales being the most common.

Sharif highlights the use of trap houses for drug sales and weapon storage, emphasizing their secrecy.

He discusses the causes of gang wars, which can be triggered by minor incidents and escalate into large conflicts.

Sharif points out the influence of social media on gang violence, as it amplifies exposure and encourages imitation.

He explains the process of county lines, where inner-city gangs expand their operations to rural areas.

Sharif notes the impact of wealth inequality on gang activity and violence.

He stresses the importance of reeducating young people on the consequences of gang involvement and providing opportunities.

Sharif describes the challenges of leaving a gang and the need for community support in reducing gang violence.

He now works as a mentor and coach, helping young people and adults make better decisions and understand their motivations.

Transcripts

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Related Tags

Gang Life London Gangs Youth Violence Survival Stories Crime Structure Gang Recruitment Knife Crime Gang Wars Mentorship Redemption