There is no single definition of a ‘gang’ and so it is difficult to assess the extent and nature of gang activity.
However, the Tackling Gangs Action Programme (September 2007 to March 2008) was set up to tackle gangs who use serious violence and firearms as a central part of their activities. The focus was in the four cities with the highest number of firearms homicides: London, Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool.
As part of this work, police forces in these cities identified 774 individuals, of whom 655 had on average 11 convictions each, of which the majority were for public order, harassment, drugs, violence and acquisitive offences.