EXCLUSIVE:’Many professionals do not know the reality of the gang world. Going out and hugging youths is not going to stop them being gang members.’

Former organised crime gang member calls out professionals whose softly softly approach is failing.

Sicarius McGrath is a former organised gang member. For two decades he was involved in the world of violent crime, managing brothels, gathering firearms, recruiting new members, arming gangs and undertaking most things gang members do.

After two prison sentences, Sicarius has the left the underworld behind him and is now running a twelve week pilot project to help gang members lay down their weapons and leave the criminal world behind them. But, his approach to helping our youth is a hardline approach that he believes clashes with the current ‘softly softly’ approach being used by many professionals.

“Many professionals do not have any real idea about the reality of the gang world. They want to go out and hug all the youths in the hope that they leave the violent world behind them. But these are youths armed with guns and knives. They are not prepared to listen unless you talk to them in their own language. I adopt a hardline approach at first to get them away from the violence and then gradually ease off as they begin to walk a new path. These kids know that many professional organisations are now using this silk glove approach and use that to their own benefit.

“It is important to remember that in gangs there is no such thing as equality, everyone is treated the same regardless. Gangs don’t care. It is a very violent world, says Sicarius.

After years of being bullied, Sicarius armed himself against his attackers and from there became a gang member where he remained for two decades.

“People have often lost sight of reality and are scared of how they approach youths in gangs. Many professionals give endless presentations on the world of gangs without ever having a clue of what really goes on. It is an extremely violent world.

“There has to be a victim focused approach. The reality of the gang world needs to be shown. Gang leaders don’t abide by equality laws, they don’t care. This is why so many professionals are out of touch.”

Sicarius is launching 12 week pilot programme that has already received the support of many gang members who have agreed to lay down their weapons if this project gets off the ground.

“I have spoken to over a hundred gang members who were all very receptive. These are all well known perpetrators in the gang world. I have a very successful rate as I was a former gang member mediator and recruiter so I talk their language.

“They key aspect here is to get them to the table and I can do that”, continues Sicarius.

The twelve week pilot programme will highlight Sicarius’ tough line approach to ending gang violence and bringing our youth back.

“I want to show the reality and that I do have a solution. I know this approach will work.”

Sicarius is looking for funding to help him get this pilot scheme off the ground. He has already raised a large part of the funding himself, but needs additional funding to get this new scheme running that can then be rolled out across the country.

Asked why so many youths join gangs, Sicarius replied: “Sadly peer influence is stronger than parental influence at times. But those carrying knives aren’t always in gangs. We know many arm themselves because they are scared.

“I spoke with two last week both aged 14 and 15 years old with two machetes tucked down their waistbands.”

Sicarius knows that not everyone will agree with his hardline approach.

“I call out professionals who do not know anything about gang life and yet preach to our youth.

“Let me have the opportunity to run my twelve week pilot programme and if it doesn’t work, thern you can criticise me, but I know these gang members listen me, as I talk their language.”

It was in 2017 whilst in prison that Sicarius chose a new path.

“I saw the Reece Jones case televised and I knew then that I had to change and I have.

“It is time now to start this realistic approach and start saving our youth,” he finishes.

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