Police and local authorities across England and Wales have the power to apply for gang injunctions for 14 to 17 year olds. The Home Secretary laid the statutory guidance in Parliament on 19 December 2011.
Introduced in the Policing and Crime Act 2009, gang injunctions allow the police and local authorities to apply to a county court (or the High Court) for an injunction against an individual who has been involved in gang-related violence.
Gang injunctions allow courts to place a range of prohibitions and requirements on the behaviour and activities of a person involved in gang-related violence. These conditions could include prohibiting someone from being in a particular place or requiring them to participate in rehabilitative activities.
The aim of a gang injunction is to prevent a person from engaging in, encouraging or assisting gang-related violence and may also serve to protect them from gang-related violence. Gang injunctions aim to prevent serious violence from occurring, break down violent gang culture and engage gang members in positive activities to help them leave the gang.
Gang injunctions are a valuable tool in preventing gang-related violence alongside a range of other prevention, detection and enforcement measures.
Guidance for local partners
The Home Office has published statutory guidance on gang injunctions to help local partners apply for and manage gang injunctions effectively and appropriately in accordance with the legislation. Applicants should also refer to the Policing and Crime Act 2009 and follow the Civil Procedure Rules.
Monitoring and review
Section 50 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 requires a review of gang injunctions. Alongside these reviews we have developed a voluntary national data collection form, which we encourage all injunction applicants to complete in accordance with the instructions.