We hear a lot from the media and politicians about the problems caused by gangs of young people. It is true that criminal gangs are a serious problem in some parts of the world, like Latin America. But we believe that the problems caused by young people are often exaggerated, and that governments should be doing more to help and less to punish young people involved with them.

Young people who get involved with gangs usually come from the poorest sections of society. They often have poor education and prospects and are growing up in a culture where violence and danger is normal. They often join gangs to get protection and status.

We think governments should look at ways to prevent young people getting involved in criminal gangs in the first place – and that young people who are potential gang members should be treated as young people at risk.

Instead, politicians are thinking up harsher ways to deal with gangs which means locking up young people for long periods. Some countries have introduced a zero tolerance policy which can include allowing police to pick up someone just for being a member of a gang – even if they were not doing anything illegal at the time.

Of course criminal activity by gangs has to be dealt with – but just being a member of a gang shouldn’t be against the law. Instead of criticising young people in gangs, we should be looking at the causes of why they join in the first place, and doing all we can to help them leave and improve their lives.