OnDemand: National Tackling Gang Crime, Violence and Weapon Crime Conference 2026

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You can watch all the insights, key sessions, and expert discussions from The National Tackling Gang Crime, Violence and Weapon Crime Conference 2026 by purchasing our OnDemand Event. Access full recordings of every session, including presentations from leading industry speakers, and watch at your own pace.

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Access this conference OnDemand today for £245 here.

Overview

Despite a long-term decline in overall crime rates since the mid-1990s, the UK continues to grapple with a troubling rise in knife crime and youth violence. This surge is closely linked to the expansion of county lines drug networks, which exploit vulnerable young individuals to transport and sell drugs across the country. These operations have brought with them increased violence, exploitation, and substance abuse into rural and suburban communities.

In January 2026 industry leaders united at The National Tackling Gangs, Violence and Weapon Crime Conference 2026 to deliver national guidance, policy updates and practical strategies, sharing case studies from top organisations in victim safeguarding and criminal network dismantling.

Key topics covered include:

Agenda

• 9.50am

  Chair’s Opening Remarks

  Professor Simon Harding, Director of the National Centre for Gang Research Ltd and Advisor on Youth Violence, Gangs, Knives and County Lines, Home Office, Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), National Crime Agency (NCA) and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS)

• 10.00am

  Keynote: Disrupting County Lines – Policing Strategy 2024-2027

  • Update on 4P strategy (Prevent, Protect, Prepare, Pursue) focusing on preventing County Lines and the associated violence and exploitation, as well as protecting children and vulnerable adults and pursuing offenders
  • Over 5,600 lines dismantled and 8,800+ individuals safeguarded since 2019 through coordinated national efforts
  • County lines activity is becoming more localised, with a sharp rise in internal lines operating within single police force areas
  • Increased investment in specialist training and multi-agency partnerships to improve disruption and victim support

  Dan Mitchell, Detective Superintendent, National County Lines Coordination Centre

  

• 10.20am

  Keynote: Tackling Knife Crime Through Community-Based Initiatives

  Faron Paul, Founder and Knife Crime Specialist, Faz Amnesty

  

• 10.40am

  Questions and Answers

• 11.00am

  Comfort Break

• 11.20am

  Keynote: Drill Music – Gangs and Serious Youth Violence

  • Origins and cultural significance of Drill music
  • Drill’s connection to gang culture
  • Controversies surrounding Drill music
  • Use of Drill lyrics in criminal cases

  David Kingsley, Associate, Criminology Services Limited

  
• 11.40am

  Case Study: Tackling Gang Crime on a Local Level

  Gemma Lightfoot, Gangs, Violence and Exploitation Unit, Service Manager, Hammersmith & Fulham Council

  Kiran Dhillon-Bala, Gangs, Violence and Exploitation Unit, Policy and Service Development Lead, Hammersmith & Fulham Council

  

• 12.00pm

  Questions and Answers

• 12.20pm

  Lunch Break

• 1.30pm

  Keynote: Healing in Hostile Spaces: Rebuilding Identity through Occupational Therapy
  

  Tara Hennessy, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, HM Prison and Probation Service

  

• 1.50pm

  Case Study: Youth Violence & Behavioural Change Programme Subtitle: Psychology, Lived Experience & Systems Change

  • Understand how firsthand experiences of former gang members can inform and enhance intervention strategies
  • Recognise the importance of authentic mentorship in engaging at-risk youth and building trust
  • Explore methods to deconstruct the perceived allure of gang culture through real-life narratives
  • Identify ways to integrate lived experience into community programs and policy development for effective prevention.

  Sheldon Thomas, Consultant on Organised Criminal Networks, ST Solutions Consultancy

  

• 2.10pm

  Questions and Answers

• 2.50pm

  Comfort Break

• 3.10pm

  Case Study: Engaging with Young People at Risk of Entering the Criminal Justice System Through Boxing

  Anthony York, Founder & CEO, Boxing Futures

  

• 3.30pm

  Case Study: Reducing violence and harm through long-term specialist support

  • Highlighting how delivering trauma-informed, long-term, intensive interventions for children and young people already experiencing violence, exploitation and serious harm can reduce risk, reoffending and promote safety
  • Sharing the need for gender-responsive support for girls and young women, including those navigating the criminal justice system
  • Strategies for providing effective support to young people with SEND
  • Demonstrating how working closely with parents and carers recognises the vital role they play in safeguarding and supporting their children, which strengthens safeguarding and supports long-term stability and resilience

  Desmond Edward, Director of practice and Lee Bulmer, Expert SEND Caseworker, Safer London 

  

• 3.50pm

  Questions and Answers

• 4.10pm

  Chair’s Closing Remarks

  Professor Simon Harding, Director of the National Centre for Gang Research Ltd and Advisor on Youth Violence, Gangs, Knives and County Lines, Home Office, Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), National Crime Agency (NCA) and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS)

• 4.20pm

  Conference Close

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