Gun gangs' vile videos of terror

Shock as the mini-gangsters use mobiles to film themselves and their victims in new twist to city crime mayhem

TEENAGE gangs are filming themselves brandishing guns, setting dogs on victims and speeding stolen cars through city streets in a series of shocking promotional videos.

The violent world of Liverpool’s young gangs has been captured on mobile phone videos and sent out to children as young as 11 as teen thugs bid to enhance their reputations and recruit potential members.

The ECHO passed four pieces of footage to Merseyside police, which has launched an investigation into the videos.

The clips show different gang members from Norris Green, Croxteth, and the Deysbrook and Larkhill areas and include:

* A youth with gunshot wounds to his head

* Masked youths showing off loaded shotguns, handguns and ammunition

* Yobs riding motorbikes dangerously and at speed on residential roads

* Youths wheelspinning cars on busy roads

* Speeding cars being pursued by police vans and the police helicopter

* Pit bull terriers being set on people

* Innocent passers-by being filmed as they are attacked in the street

* Dogs fighting

All of the video clips, which are up to three minutes in length, have been edited and include backing tracks from popular rap songs.

One of the clips shows graffiti tributes to 19-year-old gang leader Liam “Smigger” Smith, who was shot in the head outside Altcourse prison last month.

His death was the first fatality in the long-running feud between the Strand Crew and the Croxteth Crew.

Another shows close up footage believed to be of Everton footballer Andy Van der Meyde’s car being wheel spun around a car park.

One Norris Green resident, who asked not to be named, said: “When Liam Smith died the police were round here in force, but a week later it had all died down.

“This guy is being paraded around as a hero. It is a living nightmare around here.

“I have seen what weapons can do and what death is like and I know what one bullet can do, it is not something to be laughed at.”

Chief Supt Andy Ward said: “As well as this footage we have other similar videos and are investigating. There are groups of people in Liverpool who are making these films and glamorising what is effectively criminal behaviour, particularly with impressionable young people.

“The people who are involved in this are very much a minority of the communities and what we don’t want is for people who don’t normally get involved in this sort of behaviour getting involved.

“Police officers will be looking out for anti-social behaviour and people who are have this type of footage will have their phones seized.

“We would also appeal to parents to check their kid’s mobile phones for these images. If they have got information they should be coming forward before it gets out of hand.”

SEE the shocking footage and police reaction - click here

Surely this is serious enough for the armed forces to step in?