Police concern about "chav" vs alternative teens violence in Wigan

Once again a park in Lancashire is a scene for more conflict. No solid details but basicaly shows the trend:

Police bid to curb park gang violence
Wigan Today - ‎Jun 3, 2009‎
Source: Wigan Evening Post

Published Date: 03 June 2009 Gang violence has prompted a summer crackdown at a
Wigan park.Police say there has been a worrying increase in assaults at Mesnes
Park since the evenings became warmer and lighter and often involve different
factions.

Youths belonging to different social groups such as "chavs," "moshers," and "emos" have been involved in a number of incidents in recent weeks. This has not only caused concern for the individuals caught up in the violence but also the safety of innocent by-standers and the reputation of the park which is about to undergo a major upgrade.

Mounted police have been brought in to patrol the Victorian park as part of what will be a whole raft of high profile measures over the summer months.
One officer, who had been called up from the mounted police centre at Hough End, Manchester, said: "We are here because there have been a lot of assaults in the park just recently involving youths belonging to different groups such as chavs and emos.

"The hot weather, light evenings and alcohol have all contributed to the trouble and
we are here to deter further trouble." A Wigan Police spokesman said: "This is
the start of a summer operation which we will be running in Mesnes Park with our
partners over the summer.
"It is an effort to tackle anti-social behaviour and violent crime that has been committed there in recent weeks. Since the evenings got lighter there have been a number of incidents, mainly assaults.

"Various youth factions seem to be involved and alcohol is undoubtedly a
factor too. We are stepping up patrols both to prevent further crimes."
He said that further measures for the summer campaign would be announced soon.

Thugs who tortured Leeds metalers/goths jailed

The gang that cut off the ear of Paul Gibbs were jailed. Original reports on case here:
The full details make grim reading what makes these crimes even more sickening is the atmosphere of brutal calculation, and the way the criminals lulled their victims into a false sense of security. Paul Gibbs and his friends were sadly too trusting that other people were as friendly as they were. Mere robbery was not enough the thugs had to use brutal violence as well. As this report makes clear it might have ended in murder:

Bully boys terrorised Goths in park
Yorkshire Post - ‎Jun 5, 2009‎

Published Date: 05 June 2009
By Olwen Dudgeon

A MAN was savagely beaten and had his ear cut off while three others were
injured in a horrific night of violence when a gang of "bully boys" decided to
rob Goths camping in a park.

Andrew Hall, Ryan Woodhead and Quinn Colley, who described themselves as "Chavs", hatched a plan to attack a group celebrating a teenager's birthday in Rothwell Country Park, Leeds, with a barbecue last August. Hall, Woodhead and Colley had spent the day drinking and had already demonstrated "vitriolic hostility" to the "Emos" or "Moshers" known for their dark clothing and make-up, Richard Wright, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court yesterday. When they first saw the Goths arriving, Hall, with the others as pillion passengers, drove his scooter at them and shouted abuse. They then hatched their plan to assault and rob them.Mr Wright said the three turned up pretending to be peaceful. They drank beer with the group and Hall took people to buy cigarettes and alcohol on his scooter. He even apologised for the earlier incident.

Having gained the trust of their victims, they then offered to take Paul Gibbs, the oldest and notional leader to get more beer.Once away from the others, Hall stopped his scooter and Colley and Woodhead launched a savage attack on Mr Gibbs, who was repeatedly punched and kicked until he lost consciousness and could only remember waking in hospital.He had suffered a severe head injury, and for a time was in a coma, spending weeks in hospital. Before he was found by police that night in "a barbaric twist" he also had his left ear severed with a knife. Both attackers deny responsibility.Doctors hope to re-attach it later this year.

Mr Wright said that some of the other Goths went looking for Mr Gibbs. Hall then offered another one a lift. Once again, Hall attacked him and searched his pockets before leaving the area.Meanwhile, Colley and Woodhead attacked two others. One youth was punched and kicked unconsciousness, waking up only several days later in Leeds General Infirmary, while the second was kicked in the face suffering a bloody nose.They robbed two girls before following them back to the campsite to continue the terror.Colley, already on bail for an attack in the same park when he fractured a youth's jaw, said he had been told by "his boss" to kill them, but let them go. Hall, 22, of Sixth Avenue, Rothwell, Leeds, who admitted conspiracy to rob and grievous
bodily harm to Mr Gibbs, was given an indeterminate prison sentence and must
serve a minimum of four-and-a-half years.

Woodhead, 18, Seventh Avenue, Rothwell, and Colley, 18, of Wordsworth Drive, Oulton, both Leeds, each admitted conspiracy to rob and grievous bodily harm with intent and were given indeterminate sentences to serve a minimum of two years, 210 days.Colley also admitted grievous bodily harm in July. Judge James Spencer QC described them as a "bunch of bully boys" who would only be released when they were considered no longer a danger to the public.

Alicia Thompson who organised the goth march in Sheffield and other places last year was interviewed on the case on BBC Look North and made some good points and adds more details about the aftermath of the robbery and the blood soaked scene.

You can see the video via the facebook page :
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=194393410206&subj=624250206



Here is the group Eternal Souls of Twilight she organises on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?page=3&oid=2518987272&aid=-1&auser=&view=all#/group.php?gid=75446590234

In theory if those sentencing guidelines that Jack Straw agreed to recently with the SOPHIE group were in place already this group may have had longer sentences. Although that would be more satisfactory for the victims and everyone else it will not solve the problem it is sad to reflect.

Do longer sentences actual deter the people capable of this kind of oportunistic savagery? If you look at the details of the crime the thugs were obviously going to get caught as they had been alongside their victims long enough to provide loads of witnesses and they were well known in the area. We are not exactly talking criminal masterminds it seems their feelings of preudice and hate turned a robbery of a bunch of teenagers for a few bits of cash into acts of sadistic hate-ridden violence which were far more serious and ensured the police put in a big effort to catch them. Yet the amount of effort the scum put into creating the situation where they could isolate and beat their victims shows a kind of brutal cunning which is worrying. It really is like something out of a horror film.

New updates

Had problems updating this blog for technical reasons. But have now loaded a bunch of updates for the last 6 months or so.

Emo Panic hits Egypt

The latest country to be worried about Emos is Egypt.

Egypt's emos, the latest hate figures

• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday May 6 2009
• Jack Shenker

Just to clarify, that's emo as in ludicrously tight T-shirts, dyed-black fringes, studded belts and thick horn-rimmed glasses, confessional slash-yourself music and a lingering sense of narcissistic self-hatred. In Egypt.

The exposure of the graffiti's true creators did nothing to curb the collective panic now seizing the opinion columns and chat shows of the Arab world's largest country. In fact if anything, it intensified; men with long beards and explosive belts are one thing, but teenagers who listen to My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy in their bedrooms while squeezing into skinny jeans are quite another. True, police now had these particular Banksy-wannabes under lock and key, but how many more were out there and what did they want from us?

Up to 10,000 Egyptians were members of emo-related Facebook groups, we were informed; all were adherents to a western cult which glorified homosexuality and threatened to undermine Islam. Discerning readers were offered tips for identifying emos: they were "driven by punk and emotion", wore "guyliner" and "manscarer" and were to be found "loitering in streets ... often dismal and in tears".

Triumph - Changes in Hate Crime guidelines to be made

Efforts of the Sophie Campaign have finally paid off. It looks like there will be no changes in the law at the moment BUT more importantly it looks like there will be alterations in the sentencing guidelines which means judges can use prejudice against alternative subcultures as a reason to increase sentences.

BBC News - Lancashire - Plea to Straw over Goth's death . Last updated: 6 May 2009

The BBC report features video of Straw talking about the legal situation.

MURDERED GOTH SOPHIE'S LAW GETS STRAW'S BACKING
The Daily Mirror (London); May 8, 2009; PATRICK MULCHRONE; p. 25

THE mum of a murdered goth girl has won a landmark victory in her fight for Sophie's Law Sophie Lancaster, 20, was kicked
to death by a gang in 2007 because of the way she dressed. Mum Sylvia wants
attacks on people in subcultures classed as hate crimes so judges can give
tougher penalties.

She took her fight to Justice Minister Jack Straw, who said he could not
alter the law but proposed changes to sentencing guidelines. Mr Straw said:
"Greater attention has to be paid to hate crimes against people in an
alternative culture like goths." The plans could see sentences extended by up to
two years.

Mrs Lancaster
said: "We want Jack Straw to bring the hate crime legislation into the 21st
century, and recognise that a high proportion of people that dress differently
often face attack and abuse." Ryan Herbert and Brendan Harris got life last
March for murdering Sophie in Bacup, Lancs,
in August 2007.

Herbert, 16, must serve a minimum of 15 years six months. Harris, 15, at
least 18..

Sophie Lancaster's mum set to win tougher sentences for hate crimes

8:40am Thursday 7 May 2009

A MUM is set to win her battle for the creation of ‘Sophie’s Law’ in memory of her murdered daughter...

Senior judges and police officers will be consulted by the government on the proposed changes before they are adopted. They will allow judges to issue greater sentences in crimes where they victim is from a sub culture.

This could range from months extra to years, depending on the crime.

Mr Straw said he did not think it was right to change the law, but that sentencing guidelines were what would have to be altered.

Some of the other coverage took a different spin on the meeting though. However you look at it is a massive success as long as it goes through.

Mum vows to fight on in battle to change hate-crime laws

Published: 07/05/2009

THE mother of a young woman murdered because she dressed like a Goth said yesterday she was disappointed that the government had no plans to change its hate-crime legislation.

Sylvia Lancaster, whose 20-year-old daughter, Sophie, was kicked to death because she looked like a Goth, wants the government to recognise that a high proportion of people who dress differently often face attack and abuse.

Yesterday she told Justice Secretary Jack Straw that the hate-crime legislation needed to be brought “into the 21st century”, but Mr Straw insisted the law did not need to be changed.

Mrs Lancaster, of Rawtenstall, Lancashire, said that while it was a positive meeting, she was disappointed and would continue her campaign. She said Mr Straw told her that instead of changing legislation, he wanted to do more to make sure the police were aware of the prejudice faced by alternative sub-cultures.

Mrs Lancaster said: “We went into the meeting hoping that we would get the hate-crime legislation changed to include all sub- cultures.

“What happened was Mr Straw changed the agenda, if you will. Rather than change the legislation, he’s talking about looking at the process that the police go through and the CPS.”

Later Mr Straw said: “I have a great deal of sympathy for Mrs Lancaster and I was grateful for the opportunity to hear her concerns today. “We need to tackle crimes such as these and prevent them happening if possible.”

Mrs Lancaster’s daughter was kicked repeatedly in the head after a drunken gang of teenagers turned on her and her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, in a park in Bacup, Lancashire, in August 2007.

Exhibition on subcultures

Expert denies subcultures exist in UK any more.

Is manipulation by the media killing British youth culture?
Independent - Apr 20, 2009
The media has got excited about emos in the last few years," says Polhemus, ... "People say 'You've got to have a big section on emos', but are there really

Russian Neo Nazis step up attacks

Interesting article on the grim world of Russian Neo-Nazis who besides the obvious racial and homophobic targets pick out subcultures for violence too as we have seen before:

Neo-Nazis ever more active, society stays passive - analysts
ИТАР-ТАСС - ИТАР-ТАСС (подписка) - Apr 1, 2009

Last year was one of the most eventful ones in terms of the manifestations of radical nationalism and resistance to it by the state and society, SOVA said in its report. The number of victims of racism and xenophobia-fuelled violence last year totaled at least 525, of whom 97 died. (In contrast to this in 2007 85 were killed and 605 others injured).

In all, 2008 racist and neo-Nazi attacks were registered in 44 regions of Russia, but most of them were in Moscow and St. Petersburg, as before.

The main victims of xenophobic aggression were Central Asia and Caucasus-born nationals. However, not a single individual of non-Slavic appearance is secure from racists' attacks. The same applies to the representatives of left-wing youth movements and subcultures alternative to the neo-Nazis (the Punks, the Emos and the Goths), whom the neo-Nazis regard as "traitors of the white race and its ideas."

The neo-Nazis' terrorist practices have been expanding. Last year saw at least ten explosions or attempts to blow up makeshift bombs in Moscow and the Moscow Region, in which neo-Nazis are suspected to have been involved.

Bullying of goth "Vampires"

Vampire rumors prompt Boston Latin alert - about bullying - The...
Boston Globe - Mar 27, 2009

Two law enforcement officials with knowledge of the incident said a group of girls at the school had been bullying at least one other student who likes to dress in Goth-style, a vampirish look popularized by musician Marilyn Manson. The officials said the girls began spreading a rumor that the student was a vampire who had cut someone's neck and sucked the blood.

When Boston police went to the school Wednesday on an unrelated matter, their presence fueled yet another rumor: that a vampire was being arrested, according to one of the law enforcement sources.

Australia goth scene

Evolving Gothic culture still a lure in Brisbane
NEWS.com.au - Mar 25, 2009

While the clubs come and go – Warman was recently out of action for three months while he found a new venue – one thing that hasn't changed is the placid nature of the crowd.

"In 27 years, we've never had any trouble, never had the police called out," he says. "They're a polite, gentle crowd. But they can bitch a bit."

Emo bullying in Australia

Taunts turn to violence - bullying exposed
NEWS.com.au - Feb 17, 2009

The family of one teenage male student told how their son was subjected to a series of assaults at an elite Sydney private college, which included:

* A BROKEN arm sustained in an altercation with another student;

* A KING hit from another student leaving him with a bruised neck and cheekbone; and

* HARASSMENT by five students who called him an "emo" and told him to cut his own throat and wrists.

Goth shop attacked for "Satanism" in Ireland

Raining hellfire on the scary doll store
Irish Times (Dublin); Jan 24, 2009; p. 4

Ballymena councillors are incensed by a shop selling 'Living Dead Dolls', but its owner says it's just a fun place for teenagers to meet, writes FIONOLA MEREDITH .

TROUBLE IS brewing in Ballymena, the bustling market town at the very heart of North Antrim. A recently opened shop - Tracy's Livin' Dead, which stocks the dark, morbid and often eroticised "goth gear" beloved of gloomy teenagers everywhere - has incurred the wrath of some local councillors.

One representative has raised concerns with the police that the store is "purely satanic and witchcraft-related", and is a bad influence on the town's children. DUP councillor John Carson told a meeting of the Ballymena District Policing Partnership that he was concerned about the location's "close proximity to a bus stop used by young people".

When contacted by The Irish Times, Carson refused to comment further on the matter, adding that to do so would be to draw more publicity to the shop.

It's clear that shop owner Tracy Wilson is unfazed by all the fuss. "Welcome to the root of all evil," she sings out as I walk into her premises. It's an unexpectedly bright and breezy place: "We cleaned all the blood off the walls before you got here," quips Tracy's assistant behind the till.

With its rather comical skull transfers on the windows, a shop like this wouldn't stand out at all if it was situated in Dublin or even Belfast, but in Ballymena - which, despite the town's notorious drug problems, retains a facade of 1950s-style genteel propriety - it seems exotic.

As does Tracy herself: the 43-year-old grandmother of two is resplendent in a pentagram necklace and a "Protected by Satan" hoodie. Her other favourite hoodie, perhaps guaranteed to rile the councillors even more, is emblazoned with the slogan "God is busy . . . can I help you?"

As far as Wilson is concerned, the satanic schtick is all a bit of a laugh, and she's frustrated, if not entirely surprised, at the councillors' hostile stance.

"It's not meant to be offensive, it really isn't," she insists, "and I'm going to keep on stocking it as long as the kids want the stuff." Far from deterring youngsters from entering the shop, Wilson says that part of her motivation for opening Tracy's Livin' Dead was to give young people a place to hang out in a town that's sorely lacking in opportunities for them.

She evidently has a great affection for the crowd of black-clad teenagers sipping mugs of coffee and chatting away together on sofas at the back of the shop. "You'd never find a nicer bunch of kids than the ones that come in that door," she says proudly, in a tone far more mother hen than anarchic punk queen. "When I was growing up in Ballymena, it was the kind of place where the swings were locked up on Sundays - it's always been very old-fashioned - but with this shop the kids have somewhere where they can dress the way they want and just be themselves."

ALL THE SAME, it's easy to see why some parents wouldn't be delighted with the kind of gear Tracy sells. Most of it is fairly innocuous, the usual goth fare - red and black stripy legwarmers, "weeping rose" scented black candles, tightly corseted velvet dresses and the odd pair of absurdly campy silver spider-web stiletto boots - but Wilson's selection of "Livin' Dead Dolls", after which the shop is named, are distinctly gruesome. The very antithesis of Tiny Tears, these ghoulish little mannequins have black-rimmed eyes, bloody scars and sinister smiles, and each comes with its own "death certificate" and the warning "only for spooky kids over 15".

They may well be collectors' items, as Tracy tells me, but isn't stocking such controversial dolls a step too far? "I have the highest morals where children are concerned, and I'm responsible about what I do," says Wilson. "I make sure that the dolls are on a high shelf so that younger kids can't see them. I bring my own little grandson in here, and I wouldn't do anything to worry him. And I won't sell the dolls to anyone under 15. Sometimes I do get 12-year-olds coming in, wanting to buy a hoodie or something, but I tell them to bring their mum in so I know they have permission. When the kids don't have much money, I set aside stuff for them and let them pay it off bit by bit."

It's not the first time that the spectre of witchcraft has been invoked in the traditionally God-fearing town. When JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was published in 2005, Ballymena DUP councillor Roy Gillespie urged parents to boycott a local launch, claiming that the series of best-selling books amounted to a "cult", and contained "material totally unsuitable for young minds".

Strangely enough, the wider North Antrim area is historically notorious as a home of witchcraft: in the early 18th century, a series of strange events in nearby Islandmagee led to Ireland's last witchcraft trial in 1711.

Yet, while Tracy's Livin' Dead may not be to everyone's taste, it seems that the shop functions more as a friendly teenage drop-in centre rather than a satanic den of iniquity.

And so far, Wilson has yet to receive a visit from the police. Besides, she says, "I'm sure they have better things to do than bother about me selling PVC dresses and tartan trousers."

Sophie's Mum to meet top Tory MP

Sophie Lancaster's mum to meet top MP 1:27pm Tuesday 20 January 2009

THE mother of a young woman kicked to death because of what she was wearing is due to meet a top Tory politician to discuss policies to cut street crime.

Stephanie Burlingham - scholarly 14 year old bullied to death

Found another case of a kid who killed herself because of bullying just like other cases like the The Tragic Suicide of Nicola Raphael or Tempest Smith or more recently Dominic Maynard and Sam Leeson. Bullied because of her taste in music and because she worked hard in school.

Leeds teenager bullied for shunning drinking, smoking and swearing ...

April 2008

He heard that Stephanie, who had started dressing like a Goth and listening to
Goth music, had been bullied by text and on the MSN Messenger.

School in America aimed for diverse kids

This is an interesting idea

Proposed Gay High School Changed to 'Bully-Free' School
FOXNews - Nov 18, 2008

The new language echoes the mission statement of Milwaukee's Alliance School, where lead teacher Tina Owen said staff have been successful in attracting — and protecting — a wide range of students, from those who identify as "Goth" to teens with disabilities.

"They find it to be a place where they can be themselves," Owen said. "It's a safe place."

But even without a mission statement aimed directly at gay youth, about 60 percent of Alliance School's 125 students identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered.

Not surprising considering students nationwide say sexual orientation and gender identity are two of the top three reasons behind bullying and harassment. Appearance is No. 1, according to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).

A 2007 GLSEN survey of more than 6,200 middle and high school students found that 86 percent of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered students experienced harassment in the past year because of their sexual orientation and 60 percent felt unsafe at school.

In the same survey, 33 percent reported skipping a day of school in the past month because they felt unsafe, compared to 4.5 percent of a national sample of secondary school students.

"Harassment is the rule, not the exception, if you're an LGBT student," said Kevin Jennings, founder of the New York City-based GLSEN.

Attack in Poole

Poole man

Mum’s praise for Goth rescue man

10:00am Friday 7th November 2008

THE devastated mum of Sophie Lancaster, the young Goth woman murdered as she tried to protect her boyfriend from a gang attack, has praised the Poole man who broke up a similar brawl on Halloween.

Aran Pope, who witnessed a gang of eight youths surrounding three teenage Goths in Parkstone, stepped in after recalling Sophie’s fate.

Sophie’s mum, Sylvia – who has since established a foundation in her daughter’s name – said: “Mr Pope is obviously very brave and if more people stood up to bullies in the way that he did, they may think twice in the future.

“I have read the article regarding the attack on the Goth teenagers and I would like to say to Mr Pope: well done.”

Mr Pope, 35, who spotted one Goth teen being punched and kicked on the floor, told the Daily Echo: “As it was happening, the young Goth woman who was killed popped into my head. I just knew I had to do something.”

He managed to disperse the group with the help of a passing off duty policeman, and was praised by Dorset Police for his public-spiritedness. No-one was seriously injured in the incident.

Earlier this year, Sophie, 20, was kicked to death by two 16-year-olds in a Lancashire park as she tried to protect her boyfriend, attacked simply because he was a follower of the Goth subculture.

Sophie’s mum said: “Since the death of my daughter I, along with friends, have set up the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. We receive, on almost a daily basis, instances of violence against young people from alternative subcultures, and we as a foundation are trying to raise awareness of the intolerance they face.”

Following Friday’s Parkstone incident, four people have been arrested and released on police bail. The investigation is ongoing.

Sentence review

Cut in jail sentence for one of goth's killers

guardian.co.uk - Oct 30, 2008
Ryan Herbert, 16, of Bacup, Lancashire, was sentenced to life, with a minimum term of 16 years and three months for kicking and stamping Sophie Lancaster to ...

Goth March in Plymouth

We wear black – and we're proud
Plymouth Evening Herald - Sep 4, 2008
They were among more than 100 goths who marched through Plymouth city centre to mark the anniversary of the mob killing of Sophie Lancaster, in Manchester,

Goths step out with a message of tolerance
Plymouth Evening Herald - Sep 1, 2008

Vicious attack on Goths in Rothwell, Leeds - Paul Gibbs seriously injured

Another vicious attack and mutilation with the most serious injuries inflicted on 26 year old Paul Gibbs and two others injured as well. This sounds like another very horrifying crime:

Echoes of Reservoir Dogs as camper's severed ear found
Yorkshire Post - Aug 30, 2008

One man and two youths are still in custody being questioned in on suspicion of robbery and attempted murder in connection with the case.

The 26-year-old was one of a group of about 20 young goths who were camping on parkland close to the John O'Gaunts estate in Rothwell, east of Leeds, when they were viciously attacked. Four of the group were stabbed and two of the girls were robbed at knifepoint. Two of the four injured men suffered serious injuries.

It is believed the group had travelled up to the John O'Gaunts area at around 8pm on Wednesday and were having a barbecue, drinking and listening to music.Police said a number of attacks took place at different times and at different locations, before one of the group made a frantic call to police. The most violent of the incidents resulted in the man's ear being severed.

Leeds Goths' tribute to pal who had ear sliced off
Yorkshire Evening Post - Sep 1, 2008

Kyle Staniforth was camping with around 20 mosher or Goth friends, ... Police have not revealed the extent of his injuries, other than to his ear

Rothwell Goth attack: Three in court
Rothwell Today - Aug 28, 2008

Police probe Leeds Goth attack after man's ear chopped off ...
Police probe Leeds Goth attack after man's ear chopped off - Residents told of
their shock today over a terrifying night of knife crime

March in Sheffield successful

DEVONSHIRE Green was filled with people of all ages, shapes and sizes on - but there was only one colour to be seen.

The green was a sea of black as around a hundred 'Goths' assembled for a march around the city centre in a plea for tolerance from a society they feel gives them little respect.

Everywhere you looked there was black eyeliner, crosses and an air of melancholy.

The Sheffield Star.
http://www.thestar.co.uk/headlines/The-march-of-the-Goths.4444555.jp



Sheffield Telegraph.
http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news2/The-march-of-the-Goths.4444555.jp

Anti- Emo conspiracy?

MS13 behind Emo bullying? Interesting article.


Kids, gangs, Emos & suicide
pittsburghlive.com - Aug 24, 2008