Over 1,000 young men removed from the Met Police Gangs Matrix

Nearly 2000 people still trapped in the Matrix

Matrix disproportionately targets black youngsters in London

‘Stigmatising young Black men on the basis of the music they listen to, their social media behaviour or who they are associated with is completely unacceptable’ - Oliver Feeley-Sprague

In response to Sir Mark Rowley removing over 1000 young men from the Gangs Matrix, Oliver Feeley-Sprague, Amnesty International UK’s Military, Security and Police Director, said:

“We sounded the alarm over the Met Police’s racist Gangs Matrix years ago, so this review is welcome but long overdue.

“Stigmatising young Black men on the basis of the music they listen to, their social media behaviour or who they are associated with is completely unacceptable, damaging numerous people’s lives and further damaging trust in the institution of policing itself.

“Removing those who were wrongly placed in the database was a necessary first step, but Sadiq Khan needs to ensure that the discriminatory apparatus is dismantled in its entirety as just one of many urgent reforms to clean up policing in the capital.”

About the gang matrix

Launched by the Metropolitan Police in 2012, the Gangs Matrix is a database of suspected gang members in London – more information here.

In 2018, Amnesty International reported serious concerns about how individuals come to be placed on the database, how the information is shared with other agencies such as housing associations and schools, and the adverse effect being listed on the Matrix can have for the young black males who are disproportionately impacted. The researchers spoke to more than 30 professionals who use the Gangs Matrix, including the police and other organisations, as well as community members and young people affected by the Matrix.

Amnesty is calling for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to scrap the Matrix if it cannot be brought in line with international human rights standards.