Teachers help spot gang trouble

Kadeem Blackwood was gunned down while walking with friends

Concern over gang violence in Derby means some teachers and social workers will be trained to spot potential trouble among children.

The city's community safety partnership has said tackling gang culture is now its top priority.

A specialist gangs unit has also been created in the wake of the killing of Kadeem Blackwood, 15, last year.

Those behind the moves said it was important to deal with potential problems as early as possible.

Insp Tony Brittan, who is part of the multi-agency gangs unit, is compiling profiles of gangs and using local schools to spot warning signs.

Bad example

"The teachers will be trained in identifying conflict and, once that conflict has been identified, to be able to take a young person away from that situation and give them an exit strategy."

Andy Thomas, director of Derby's Community Safety Partnership, emphasised the issue was far more than low-level anti-social behaviour.

"If this community isn't strong, we run a real risk these gangs will take over," he said.

"It has been an increasing problem for about the last year.

"Some of these people who are hardened gangsters just need locking up and the police are doing a great job - but we really also have to work on preventing it.

"Some of the youngsters in our communities aspire to being in gangs, aspire to that lifestyle.

"We have to challenge that and tackle that and give them an alternative and those that are already in the gangs we have to give them a way out."