Key pointers for SA parents to distinguish between ‘normal teen behaviour’ and gang affiliation

As gang violence becomes more prevalent around the Adelaide CBD and inner suburbs, experts have tipped some key points for parents to tell if your kids want to join a gang.

As gang violence escalates around Adelaide, parents worried about their children choosing the wrong path have key pointers to consider.

Violence between feuding Sudanese youth gangs, 051 and KBS, came to a head on Saturday night when the rivals came together in Sia Furler Lane in the CBD for what senior police described as a “knife fight”.

A Victorian man, 25, was killed as a result.

The hike in violence between the gangs has been under the microscope of police for some time, with senior cops forming a special task force called Operation Meld last July.

Multicultural Youth SA chief executive, Tamara Stewart-Jones, said there are several signs parents should keep an eye out for, such as family or education disruptions.

“I think it’d be disengagement from education, or disruptive education … if they’re starting to get in trouble more, starting to fail, get behind, starting to not engage in employment,” Ms Stewart-Jones said.

New clothing, mysterious appearances of money and reckless behaviour could be signs your child is involved in gang activity.

“It would be also leaving home and staying out at, you know, hours after what would be considered ordinary teenage curfew.”

Ms Stewart-Jones said alcohol and drug misuse, as well as relationships with young people “also experiencing challenges” such as homelessness or family disruptions are key factors to consider.

Youth Affairs Council of South Australia chief executive, Anne Bainbridge, said the behaviour of the two gangs was not reflective of the majority of teen behaviour.

“The reported incident isn’t reflective of the behaviour of most young people so parents shouldn’t be overly concerned,” Ms Bainbridge said.

“It’s important for parents to have open and non-judgemental communication with their children so they know they can raise concerns and receive the support they need regardless of the issue.”

Ms Bainbridge said children may join gangs as they are lulled into a false sense of belonging.

“All people seek to belong and young people are no different so the best way to find out what they need is to ask them.”

Parents should have open discussions with their child if they notice negative signs.

Ms Stewart-Jones said it can be hard to identify dangerous behaviour.

“It’s very hard to kind of describe the tipping point of where they go from just being a general teenager, and unruly teenage behaviours to criminal offending,” she said.

Between 051 and KBS, the young men look far from your regular criminals, flashing bespoke bling, Gucci bags and expensive shades.

Images posted to social media show members of the 051 gang in Adelaide wearing the Gucci messenger bag, which retails for $1,535.

A man arrested during Operation Meld was adorned by a large custom “051” necklace, which appeared to be made of gold and diamonds, while others wore a range of brand-name T-shirts.

It comes as Premier Peter Malinauskas said the intensifying gang violence following the recent alleged Operation Meld gang stabbing on North Tce was a big concern.

“Wherever you see risk-taking behaviour, whether it be risk-taking on our roads or … people engaging in violence, that does present a potential risk to others,” he said on Tuesday.

“That’s why it’s so concerning and why we want to do anything we can to prevent it.”