Knowledge is power. Learn about this issue so that you can take action.

Learn about the harmful impact of the Gang Matrix on our communities, and how it affects individual’s rights and privacy. We have put together a range of resources to help guide your learning journey. Please share what you are learning with others, as this is a crucial part of how we will strengthen our campaign for change! We would love to know your thoughts on this page. If there are further resources you would like to see included here, please get in touch.

The Decades-Long Struggle Against Racist ‘Gang’ Policing

Since the formation of Operation Trident in 1998, there has been persistent community resistance against the racist nature of ‘gang’ policing in England and Wales. 

Our Timeline of Resistance documents key moments of heightened police enforcement which have purposely targeted Black and marginalised communities. At the same time, it highlights the emergence of grassroots activism, research, and community-led initiatives aimed at challenging ‘gang’ policing - each of which have laid the foundations for the Erase the Database campaign. 

Resources & tools.

  • Erase the Database Community Toolkit

    By Erase The Database Collective.

    This toolkit is made for community leaders, activists, organisers and young people. Read more to find out more about the Erase The Database campaign, and how you can support young people in your community to access support and submit a Subject Access Request.

    Read

  • The War on Gangs or a Racialised War on Working Class Black Youths

    By Stafford Scott.

    This report explores how the Conservative government of 2010 - 2016 weaponised the “gang” narrative to oppress and demonise Black youth.

    Read

  • Being Matrixed: The (Over) policing of gang suspects in London

    By Dr Patrick Williams.

    This report examines how being labelled a ‘gang nominal’, placed on the Gangs Matrix and subjected to an enhanced level of policing and multi-agency interventions impacts on young Black people.

    Read

  • Harm to Healing: Resisting Racial Injustice in the Criminal Legal System

    By Temi Mwale and Dr Patrick Williams.

    This report explores the purpose, role and experiences of Black-led ‘by and for’ groups and organisations that are working at the intersections of racial injustice and the criminal legal system of England and Wales.

    Read

  • Dangerous associations: Joint enterprise, gangs and racism

    By Dr Patrick Williams and Becky Clarke.

    This report offers a troubling exposé of the use of joint enterprise as a form of collective punishment against Black and racialised communities.

    Read

  • Trapped in the Matrix: Secrecy, stigma, and bias in the Met’s Gangs Database

    By Amnesty International.

    Raises serious concerns about how people are placed on the database, how information is shared with other agencies, and the adverse impact on the young Black men and boys who are disproportionately represented on it.

    Read

  • Defending Digga D

    Digga D is one of the first musicians in British history to be given a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) that controls his creative output. It means he is not allowed to release any music, or videos, without telling the police. This documentary explores themes of censorship and freedom of expression through the lens of Digga D’s story.

    Watch

  • The Gangs Matrix Documentary (2020)

    By AWL Films

    This documentary explores how the Met Police’s Gangs Matrix operates and the impact for those on it.

    Watch

Other Campaigns & Groups