A NEW £55,000 scheme which is designed to prevent the rise of gang culture has received the backing of Walsall College.

The college is a partner of the EUGANGS scheme, a European funded project which will train professionals to work with younger, vulnerable people.

And over the next three years, a training package will be created for professionals working with young people in gangs or those at risk of engaging in gang activity.

“This project will offer professional development for people in a range of agencies as well as those in the community already dealing with gang related issues,” said associate researcher Colin Isham, who is leading the project at Walsall College.