SNAP, ADIBOP & Bangladeshi Youth League

SNAP worked with ADIBOP and 9 young males aged 12 - 14 years who attend the Bangladeshi Youth League (BYL). The members of BYL became aware that the police and courts could charge individuals at the age of 10 years as criminals. SNAP asked BYL what did they consider to be the causes affecting youth safety? Members of the BYL identified the following factors:baseball bats, knives, guns, joy riding, taking without consent and drugs as the main causes affecting youth safety. Individuals within the group also identified bullying as a factor. The group was also made aware that bullying is a crime. The group was split into three smaller groups and were encouraged to enact victims and perpetrators of street violence. To counter the role-played violence, and to make them more aware of the risks of street violence, the group was shown how to put someone in the recovery position and told that in the event of an accident or attack someone should call an ambulance and stay with the person until the ambulance arrives.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Did you know you can become a criminal at 10 years of age and that the following offences maybe punishable with life imprisonment:

Attempted Murder

Murder

Manslaughter

Criminal damage endangering life

Torture

Possession of firearms with the intent to endanger life or damage property.

Use of firearms to resist arrest.

Carrying firearm or imitation firearm with intention to commit a chargeable offence or to resist arrest.

Wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

TOUGH PENALTIES

The penalty for illegally possessing a gun or ammunition is up to 10 years in prison.

Soon anyone in possession of a banned firearm will get at least 5 years in prison.

It will be an offence to posses an imitation firearm or air gun in a public place (without legal authority or reasonable *.excuse.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gun Crime/Youth Safety

A group of SNAP participants became aware that 10 year olds can be charged as criminals and that the following offences may be punishable with life imprisonment: Murder and attempted murder, manslaughter, criminal damage endangering life, torture, possession of firearms with the intent to damage property, use of firearm or imitation firearm with intention to commit a chargeable offence and wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
A male also read out information about gun crime and the group set about creating and role-playing scenes for two anti gun posters
Black Market and What If?.

Previous images where exhibited alongside images created for the youth safety campaign at the launch which was well attended by Luton Borough Council workers, councilors, local organisations, parents and young people.

SNAP participants supported their own project by listening to music played by a SNAP participant in the gallery. Also a SNAP participant/Media student had her music dubbed over the Youth Safety video in which some participants took part in interviews.