Southwark Council obtain the first gang injunction in the country

The order, given at Croydon Magistrates Court on Thursday 25 February, prevents him from:

• Entering a large area of Peckham.
• Mixing with more than two other people anywhere in Southwark.
• Associating with other known gang members in the borough.

The year long order also stipulates that he is not allowed to produce, promote or appear in any music video which could encourage violence.

On 31 January this year, the Home Office gave local authorities the ability to apply for gang injunctions against an individual who has been involved in gang-related violence. This one is the first served in the UK.

As part of the injunction application, Judge Ellis was presented with evidence of music videos which contained violent messages and appeared to encourage violent behaviour. 

The defendant accepted in court that he had encouraged gang related violence, and the judge decided it was necessary to serve the injunction.  

Councillor Richard Livingstone, cabinet member for community safety at Southwark Council, said:

"Our officers worked incredibly hard to get this injunction put in place, and it will play an important role in keeping the community safer in Peckham. We carry out a huge amount of work to reduce the levels of gang related violence in Southwark, and securing the first gang injunction in the UK is testament to the hard work of the team. I also hope that the allocation of a gang mentor will mean we can start to turn his life around and not see him back in court."

Wayne Chance, borough commander for Southwark Police, said:

"Southwark Borough will always make full use of the legislation available to us in order to deal with individuals who cause harm to our communities or pose a risk to the safety of the public. I am delighted that we were able to obtain this gang injunction, which is the first to be given nationally and I'm grateful to the officers and staff who worked hard to achieve it." 

Background Information

The defendant is 18 years old and lives in the Peckham area.

The council has decided not to identify the defendant on the grounds that there may be serious repercussions that result from media coverage which identifies him. 

What are gang injunctions?

Visit the Home Office site for more information.