A BRADFORD academic who has studied drug dealing and gang culture has spoken about how he wants his story to inspire others.

Dr Mohammed Qasim, who grew up in Manningham, has spent over a decade gaining the trust of gang members and meeting teenagers who have been involved in county lines drug dealing.

Dr Qasim, a visiting research fellow at the University of Bradford, was awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours, being recognised for academic research and services to young people. 

He is the author of Young, Muslim and Criminal, which explores the root causes of crime and seeks to understand why some people end up going down that path.

“There are so many issues I want to raise awareness of, particularly the exploitation of young people, especially those from ethnic minority communities,” said Dr Qasim, 39.

He said he also wants to raise awareness of what he claims are disparities in the criminal justice system when dealing with different communities.

Dr Qasim was the first in his family to get a degree, after studying at Swansea University.

A father-of-three, he still lives in South Wales and admits that he may have ended up in the same situation as some of the people he now studies.

“I could have gone in the same direction, but I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to take a different path,” he said.

“If you’re a young man, in a community where there is poverty and discrimination, and you haven’t got support and guidance from family or school, it can be a tough place.”

His research has not been easy, he added.

“You see a lot of violence. I’ve been in situations which are, at times, tricky and uncomfortable and it takes a certain person to conduct such sensitive research,” he said.

“My work is about gaining trust and that’s not something you can do quickly.”

Dr Qasim, who went to Belle Vue Boys School, hopes his honour will inspire others in Bradford. 

“I came from a place where there was a lot of poverty, discrimination and underlying issues. If someone like me can receive an honour like this, then anyone can,” he said.

“There is hope, but you have to have the right guidance and support. A lot needs to change, such as better leadership and positive role models, and a police force which understands the underlying factors which contribute to criminality.”