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More than 40 robberies occur every day in the Bay Area
More than 40 robberies occur every day in the Bay Area - and they are happening far more often than just a few years ago.
While recent high-profile restaurant robberies have citizens calling for police to crack down on commercial holdups, the total number of robberies in the nine-county region was up nearly 40 percent in 2007 compared with 2004, according to the FBI's most recent figures.
Between 2004 and 2006, robberies spiked in the region, going from 11,264 a year to 15,698, then leveling off in 2007 at 15,646. Bay Area-wide statistics from the FBI aren't available for 2008. But, running counts in San Francisco and Oakland show both cities' numbers are higher this year.
-- Strong-arm robberies, in which the assailants used only bodily force, are the most prevalent. But in both San Francisco and Oakland, the percentage of robberies involving guns has crept up since 2005 - from 30 to 39 percent.
-- IPods, laptop computers and fancy cell phones are such hot items for robbers that some investigators suggest the increasing prevalence of these expensive, easy-to-sell accessories in public places may be a driving force behind the robbery surge. More than 40 robberies occur every day in the Bay Area - and they are happening far more often than just a few years ago. ... more -
Credit crunch: leaked letter to Gordon Brown admits rise in crime & terrorism ...
A leaked letter from the Home Office to Gordon Brown admits the ailing economy is about to fuel a rise in extremism and crime.
The document outlines how people becoming poorer will fuel resentment of immigrants as job competition stiffens.
The letter states: "There is a risk of a downturn increasing the appeal of far-right extremism and racism, which presents a threat as there is evidence that grievances based on experiencing racism are one of the factors that can lead to people becoming terrorists."
The leaked dossier also sets out the potential for an increase in violent offences caused by the credit crunch and soaring food prices.
Although data for last year showed crime falling by 10% overall, they pointed out that during the 1992 slump violent crime rose by 19%.
Particular "upward pressure" would be exerted on levels of property crime, such as burglary and car break-ins.
Police forces may have to protect finances by holding back parts of their budgets.
This could leave them facing "difficult decisions over officer numbers and priorities".
Furthermore, falling revenue from visa applications will also put activities at the Border Agency "under pressure".
Smuggling and illegal working is expected to rise as employers seek to "save costs".
Officials at the department examined previous periods of negative economic growth to come to their conclusions.
The Home Office is due to deliver the stark assessment to Gordon Brown amid fears that Britain is heading for recession.
The Tories said the document demonstrated that ministers had been "complacent".
A Home Office spokesman said: "It is... appropriate that the Home Office considers the effects the economic climate may have on crime and other policy areas.
"We are confident that we have the right systems in place to respond." A leaked letter from the Home Office to Gordon Brown admits the ailing economy is about to fuel a rise in extremism and crime. ... more -
Thousands march in Mexico against violent crime
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Thousands of Mexicans marched in the capital on Saturday to protest against a wave of kidnappings and gruesome murders, putting pressure on President Felipe Calderon to meet his promises to crack down on crime.
Holding candles and dressed in white, demonstrators on the capital's Paseo de la Reforma main street carried posters and pictures of kidnap victims and signs saying, "Enough Is Enough".
Protests were planned throughout the country, especially along the U.S.-Mexico border where increasingly brazen drug gangs are battling each other for control of smuggling routes. More than 2,300 people have been killed in drug murders this year.
"Everything is getting worse. There are more kidnappings and more murders," said Carlos Villasenor, 63, a camera store owner who held a white flower.
Long used to violent crime, Mexicans were nevertheless outraged by the kidnapping and murder of Fernando Marti, 14, whose body was found in a car trunk in Mexico City on August 1 even though his businessman father had paid a ransom.
That murder prompted Calderon, Mexico City's mayor Marcelo Ebrard and state governors to hold an emergency crime summit last week and vow to stamp out abductions and violent crime.
Mexico is one of the worst countries in the world for abductions, along with conflict zones like Iraq and Colombia.
Kidnapping jumped almost 40 percent between 2004 and 2007, according to official statistics. Police say there were 751 kidnappings in Mexico last year but independent crime research institute ICESI says the real number could be above 7,000.
Story continued at link... MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Thousands of Mexicans marched in the capital on Saturday to protest against a wave of kidnappings and gruesome... more -
Did Pb Make Them Do It?
A new study reveals a strong link between exposure to lead in infancy and childhood, and violent crime.
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Are British children growing up in a culture of violence?
The question is not geared towards violent video games or violent lyrics in music, but towards tangible, physical violence. The Times have spent the last few weeks talking to kids from inner city London about their day to day experiences of violence and as a general rule they've found that it's become so common place that it is no longer a shock when it happens.
One 15 year old described how on a visit to his Grandmother in Brixton he was confronted by 20 youths and asked where he was from, when they realised he was from Peckham they chased after him for 20 minutes.
“If they caught me, they'd probably have bottled me, stabbed me, kicked me, punched me,” he said. “Doubt they'd have killed me, not on purpose, though maybe in the process.”
He shrugs: “Happens all the time.”
Boris Johnsons answer to the spiraling violence is to put more police officers on the streets, but is this the right route to take? Isn't it time we began to really research the root causes of this violence, find out what is contributing to it, and put an end to it? Do you guys have any thoughts on what is causing violent crime to become so common place amongst our youth? The question is not geared towards violent video games or violent lyrics in music, but towards tangible, physical violence. The Times ... more -
Police identify 169 London gangs
With the unstoppable rise of gun and knife crime in London, and Britain 'sleepwalking into segregation' Police have identified 169 gangs in London. Nearly every area features and some of the gangs operate on purely religious grounds. Despite the rise in shootings, gun controls in the UK have meant we as yet avoided US style school and college shootings.
For those interested, here is your comprehensive list:
East London:
Queens Crescent Boyz, big up!!! (fingers in shape of a gun making popping noises)
HMD
Love or Money H-TWN
E1
Brick Lane Massive
Cannon Street Road Posse
Shadwell Massive
Stepney Posse
Whitechapel Crew
E2
Bengal Tigers
Bethnal Green Crew
Bethnal Green Somalians
Haggerston Man Dem
E3
E3 Massive
Elton Man Dem
E4
Chingford Hall Manz
Chingford Man Dem
E4 Man Dem
E5
Clapton Sq. Man Dem
E.5TH Ridaz
Gilpin Sq. Boyz
Mash Town
Mothers Sq. Boyz
Pembury Boyz
Springfield Man Dem
E6
JC Boyz
E7
Forest Gate Man Dem
E8
Evelyn Court Man Dem
Haggerston and Fields Combined
Holly Street Boyz
London Field Boyz
E9
E9ers
Well Street Boyz
E10
Beaumont Boyz
Oliver Close Boyz
E11
Hillbridge Boyz
Leytonstone Man Dem
E12
Tamil Tigers
E13
African Devilz
Plaistow Man Dem
E14
Burdett State Massive
Limehouse Massive
Wilehouse Boys
E15
Maryland Boyz
Lords of Stratford
Stratford Man Dem
E16
Jeeperz
E17
Barrier Boyz
Boundary Boyz
Priory Court Boyz
Walthamstow Boyz
EC1
Whitecross Boyz
North and North West:
Manor House & Stamford Hill
Combination (N4 & N16)
N1
De Beauvoir Twn Man Dem
Hoxton Boys
Murray Grove Boyz
Popham Estate Boyz
N4
Blue City
Finsbury Park Man Dem
Holly Park Boyz
Manor House Boyz
Queens Drive
N5
Highbury Grove Boyz
N7
Holloway Man Dem
Romford Man Dem
Tufnell Park
N8
Busy Blocks
Chettle Court Boys
Hornsey Bloodz
Hornsey Man Dem
New Land Estate Boyz
Stationers Park
N9
Edmonton Man Dem
Fore Street Boyz
Jubilee Park Man Dem
Shanktown
X-Ray Man Dem
N14
Shadow Kingz
N15
Craven Park Manz
Edgecott Boyz
Ferry Lane Man Dem
IDA Boyz
Stonebridge Manz
Tiverton Man Dem
Tottenham Lost Souls
TMD
N16
Bombers
Kurdish Bulldogs
L.O.R.D
L.O.S
Northside L.O.S
Northside Lordship
Shakespeare Man Dem
Stamford Hill Man Dem
N17
Chestnut Estate Boyz
Evastrap Yard Manz
Farm Boyz
F.I.R.M
NPK
Scotland Green Boyz
Tottenham Ghetto Thugs
TK
N18
Fore Street Boyz
Parr Close Boyz
Redbrick Boyz
Silver Street Boyz
N19
Archway Man Dem
Dartmouth Park
N22
North London Somalians
Rampage Boyz
Wood Green MOB
NW1
Cumbo Boyz
Drummond Street Boys
Somer Town Boyz
NW2
Cricklewood
NW5
Centric Crew
Queens Crescent Boyz
NW6
Acorn Man Dem
NW Untouchables
SK Hood
NW8
Lisson Green Man Dem
NW10
Church Road Man Dem
Greenhill Man Dem
Harsh-Don Man Dem
Mus Luv Crew
Shakespeare Manz
St Raphz Manz
Stonebridge Manz
South:
SMS
PDC
SE1
Mash Force
SE3
Ferrier Youths
SE4
Brockley Man Dem
Young Brockley Manz
SE5
Circle Boyz
Dulwich Crew
Peckham Boyz
SE6
Catford Wildcas
SE7
Cherry Youths
SE8
D-Block
Ghetto Boyz
Pepys Man
Shower Camp
SE11
VMD
SE13
Ghetto Boyz
SE14
Ghetto Boyz
SE15
G.A.T
Peckham Boyz
S.F.S
SE16
Bermondsey Boyz
Mash Force
SE17
Firehouse Crew
Woolly Road Manz
SE18
Woolwich Manz
SE24
Herne Hill Man Dem
SE25
Norwood Youts
SE26
SYD
SE28
T-Block
SW2
28s
Junction Boyz
Tulse Hill Man Dem
SW4
Clapham Park Dread
Junction Boyz
S.U.K
SW9
28s
Brixton Yard Manz
Cartel Crew
Murder Zone
Myatts Field Posse
Stockwell Man Dem
SW11
Batts Mash Force
Surrey Lane Man Dem
Winstanley Estate Man Dem
SW16
Streatham Man Dem
SW17
Tooting Boyz
SW18
Wandsworth Man Dem
SW20
Raynes Park Crew
West:
W2
Westbourne Park Manz
W3
ECB
M.E.M
South Acton Man Dem
W3 Man Dem
W5
W5 Man Dem
W7
Copley Close Boyz
Elthorne Man Dem
W8
Edwardes Wood
W10
Bevington & Blagrove Manz
Latimer Road Manz
Kensal Town Manz
Queens Park Manz
W11
Lancaster West
W12
Shepherds Bush Manz
White City
W14
West Kensington
WC1
Cromer Street With the unstoppable rise of gun and knife crime in London, and Britain 'sleepwalking into segregation' Police have identifi... more -
Use of Video Footage from Police Reports of Rape Mooted in Law Reform
Britain's much-maligned rape-conviction rate is set to be boosted by changes in the way court cases and their juries are managed. A paltry 6% of reported rapes return a conviction, compared to 33% in 1977. A team of experts convened by Vera Baird, solicitor general, is to meet next month to consider ways in which "rape myths" can be confronted. Self-reassuring coping methods jury members may unwittingly use can include convincing themselves the victim has "made it up" in order to lessen their own fear of violent sexual crime; the "it couldn't happen to me" syndrome. Katherine Rake, director of the Fawcett Society, also explains her scepticism of these projected advances in this article. Britain's much-maligned rape-conviction rate is set to be boosted by changes in the way court cases and their juries are managed.... more
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Man's penis removed in drug fuelled killing
Two young men kicked and beat a gay Palmerston North man to death in a drug and alcohol fuelled attack, a court was told yesterday.
Then as a final humiliation and with "unspeakable ferocity", the pair removed part of an earlobe and the head of the victim's penis, Crown prosecutor Ben Vanderkolk told the jury at the High Court in Palmerston North.
OMG how horrible. Two young men kicked and beat a gay Palmerston North man to death in a drug and alcohol fuelled attack, a court was told yesterday. ... more -
David, 19, "In all I've seen around 15 people murdered"
This article from the Guardian takes the time to speak to the people involved in young gangs in the UK. It has become an extremely debated issue after a explosion of shootings and deaths amongst young members of the public.
5 former gang members are asked about their experiences while they were younger and they offer an interesting but sobering insight into how gang life works.
Do you think violent crime is really as big and issue as the media makes it out or is it all just hype? Have you had any experiences yourself? This article from the Guardian takes the time to speak to the people involved in young gangs in the UK. It has become an extremely deb... more
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Violent Crime
