Boys aged eight to ten must be targeted with “laser precision” to eradicate Bermuda’s gang problem, according to former Police Commissioner and Government Senator Jonathan Smith.Sen Smith said UK research shows how risk factors measured in boys of that age are proven to result in criminal behaviour when they grow up.“The findings are valid, even in the Bermuda context. I believe that prevention and intervention of this critical age cohort of males aged eight to ten is the next great work that is necessary if we are to rid Bermuda of the gang problem,” he told The Royal Gazette.Sen Smith has studied at the Cambridge University Institute of Criminology, which is recognised worldwide as a centre of excellence.He reported some of what he learned to the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee, which conducted research into the local gang problem in 2010 and 2011.He explained that research over the course of several decades, known as the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development, could help Bermuda with risk-assessment and prevention.“The most important independent predictors for males at age eight to ten were a convicted parent, high daring, low school attainment, poor housing, a disrupted family and large family size,” explained Sen Smith.He noted that although the study was not done in Bermuda, “during my police career, I saw significant consistencies with the findings of the Cambridge Study, the predictors and risk factors and the circumstances of criminality in Bermuda.“As far as I’m concerned the Cambridge Study could be the Bermuda Study — the findings are that consistent”.Sen Smith said police have made great strides in the past two years when it comes to arresting and convicting gang members and taking weapons off the streets.He said Government has also passed legislation to tackle the problem such as amendments to the Bail Act, Firearms Act and Proceeds of Crime Act.He believes members of the community trust the police more these days and are more willing to help them tackle gangs.Next, he said, the focus must turn to intervention, addressing the risk factors that have been identified to make sure young boys are caught before they join gangs.This would involve prevention programmes to deliberately target the families identified as being at-risk.“In Bermuda, we know who each of these at-risk boys are. We know them by their first name and last name, by their teacher, their football coach and by their neighbours.“We know who all those boys are and efforts going forward have to address their needs so that they don’t become targets for gang members. There is a science behind gang prevention,” he said.“I don’t think we as a Country have put enough emphasis on this aspect, but now is the time.”