Product Description

In 'Guns and Gangs' Graeme McLagan lifts the lid on a hugely unreported but important modern-day problem. After terrorism, the single greatest worry for law enforcement agencies is gun crime, and in particular the so-called 'black on black' shootings. The statistics are shocking. Black people are the victims of three quarters of London's gun murders and non-fatal shootings. The shooters in 80 per cent of cases are also black. 'Guns and Gangs' traces how the trend first started in the late 1980s and early 1990s with the emergence of the Yardies, the rise of crack cocaine and the consequent turf wars. The police have since launched numerous operations to tackle the problem, the big turning point for which came after the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence. Most of these operations have been kept secret over the years. Now, Scotland Yard is prepared to open up Operation Trident, allowing McLagan unprecedented access to files and case histories, showing how black gun crime is being confronted in a joint effort with police and the black community. This fascinating in-depth study, containing interviews with police officers, victims, their families, witnesses, lawyers and perpetrators, highlights this under-explored phenomena and offers valuable insights into the psychology behind this disturbing form of crime.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #115701 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-30
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Customer Reviews

A major eye opener
The book is absolutely awesome. I felt as if I was reading a novel. But then reality sinks in when you actually reflect, realising that this is REAL LIFE DRAMA!!!!

I'm using this book for research purposes, in preperation for my dissertation. It has some very interesting facts about the increase of "yardie" immigrants, thus linking this to an increase in drugs and gun related crime???

It's a real eye opener to whats happening in our society,(in our communities).

Have a read, I promise you, you won't regret it!!!!!!

guns and gangs
I read this book and found it really interesting.I used this when i was at college ,it helped me alot when i did a project on gun crime.I would definantly recommend that other people should buy it.Not alot of people know about what goes on , on the streets,especially if its not covered in the national newspapers,sometimes its only covered in the voice and new nation newspapers.The book was written by Graeme McLagan, he has been the BBC's expert on police corruption.It talks about OPERATION TRIDENT.The police group that was formed to tackle 'black on black gun crime and gang related drug violence.The book mentions murders such as Stephen Lawerence and Toni-ann Byfield,pauline pert. It also mentions about Owen Clarke, a.k.a Father Fowl. The book can be a bit sad at times, to think that so many people are getting killed, that could be someones son or someones dad, daughter,mother or member of family. There are also pictures in the book of people that have died and the perpetrators.I read this book nearly 2 years ago and always refer to it.To find out more , read the book!!!!!!!!!!!

Black on Black gun crime
This book was great if you are interested in reading about black on black gun crime. It gives indepth accounts of events that remain factual and gripping. However the book is slightly out of date due to the recent incidences in 2008-2009, a new chapter is very much needed as alot has progressed since. At times the book just brushes past the reasons and concentrates more on the descriptions of events themselves. A good read, but would not rely on for research purposes such as stats and unbiased accounts.