New bid to clamp down on gang wars

8:30am Thursday 19th June 2008

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Action is being taken to combat gang warfare centred on students of Greenhead High School, in Keighley.

The latest measures to stamp out "territorialism" were due to be revealed last night to councillors. They aim to tackle the last 12 months' rise in anti-social behaviour and violence in inner Keighley.

A new Bradford Council report, written by Keighley safer communities officer Rebecca Trueman, reveals the scale of the problem.

She said there had been a number of violent confrontations between factions in the upper Highfield, Dalton Lane and Knowle Park neighbourhoods.

She said: "Greenhead School has become an indirect focus for the breakdown of relations between young people. The school grounds during lunchtime and breaks are sub-divided into the differing factions.

"There have been a number of incidents at the school gates at the end of the school day."

Ms Trueman said police patrols had increased around the school during rising tensions. She said: "The entire Keighley neighbourhood policing team on occasions spent the whole day patrolling the grounds of Greenhead School and routes used by students to ensure their personal safety."

The report states that the incidents have "compromised" next year's Greenhead intake, and fuelled existing prejudices against the school and its students.

There are fears that gang troubles could jeopardise long-awaited plans to rebuild Greenhead and build a new special school alongside. The report was due to be presented to the council's Keighley Area Committee last night. It outlines activities taken to deter young people from joining gangs.

These have included sports, anti-bullying projects, youth forums, mediation and using young people as positive role models.

A community cohesion action plan has now been written to bring together existing anti-gang activities, plug gaps in provision and suggest further solutions.

Trish McCarthy, the head at Greenhead, said the council report made it clear the trouble was going on outside the school.

She said: "It's not violence in school. There's no fighting here. Inside the school, kids are getting on with their normal lessons.

"It's the impact of some of the things they're getting involved in in the evening."