Behaviours
The behaviour of young people can change when they become involved with a gang.
Behaviour at home
at home, behaviour changes can mean:
- withdrawing from family
- secretive behaviour
- aggression
- unexplained injuries
- loss of interest in hobbies and normal routines
- breaking family rules and pushing boundaries
- new friends
- increase in incoming phone calls
- being picked up in unknown cars or taxis
- absconding from home, going 'missing'
- unaccounted for cash, new clothing or a new phone
- unaccounted for money coming in or going out of their bank account
- knives going missing from the kitchen
- carrying or concealing weapons
- carrying or concealing drugs
Behaviour at school
At school, behaviour changes can mean:
- withdrawing from school
- loss of interest
- no longer attending school clubs
- a breakdown of friendships
- aggression
- unexplained injuries
- breaking school rules
- pushing boundaries
- lack of respect
- truanting or long term absences
- expensive items of clothing, footwear, electrical goods, jewellery, watches
- being dropped off at school in unknown cars or taxis
- being approached outside of school by unknown people
Behaviour with professionals who work with young people
Around professionals, behaviour changes can mean:
- secretive behaviour
- not being open
- a change in your professional relationship
- being withdrawn
- aggression
- unexplained injuries
- not attending meetings or appointments
- concerns being raised by parents, carers, teachers, social workers, youth workers
- being taken to appointments by unknown people
- arriving in taxis or unknown cars
- new mobile phones and not providing the number
- receiving calls throughout their sessions and wanting to leave quickly
- a careless, reckless attitude
- carrying weapons or things that can be used as weapons
- expensive items of clothing, footwear, electrical goods, jewellery, watches
- change in friends
- association with other gang members
- tattoos
Know the signs
In general, signs can be:
- persistently missing from school or home, being found out of the area
- unexplained money, clothes or mobile phones
- excessive receipt of phone calls and texts
- relationships with controlling or older individuals, having gang association
- leaving home or care without explanation
- suspicion of self-harm, physical assaults or unexplained injuries
- significant changes in emotional wellbeing
- significant decline in school performance