‘Drill’ music holds key to solving brutal street killings

SO-CALLED ‘drill’ music is helping West Midlands detectives solve brutal murders on West Midlands streets.

Prosecutors have revealed how the violent rap music associated with gangs is becoming an increasing feature of murder cases, with rappers sometimes boasting of their actions and showing off proceeds of criminal behaviour in clips on YouTube and social media.

A new specialist unit set up to tackle gang violence in the West Midlands looked at drill music in five cases over the last year, including it as evidence in three.

The music videos can also prove useful to investigators in making links between certain people who appear in them. In some cases they can show an association with gang members and other dangerous criminals.

The Serious Violence, Organised Crime and Exploitation Unit was launched last July with a focus on gang-related violence and County Lines drugs gangs.

The team features eight prosecutors who are experts in gang-related cases and has prosecuted 110 defendants in less than 12 months, securing 92 convictions – close to two every week.

It comes amid surging crime rates in the West Midlands, which has been hit by a wave of shocking violence over the last year.

The CPS says drill music “often features lyrics referring to drugdealing and street crime” and that a “darker side” of the hip-hop genre can refer to gang violence and threats to kill.

The youths convicted of murdering 15-year-old Keon Lincoln, in Handsworth, had listened to drill music, prosecutors revealed.

However, it was decided not to include it as evidence in the trial.

The head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill QC, told a briefing in Birmingham: “Drill music is often a feature in these cases.

A drill music video is not a crime per se, but there are cases where drill music will be introduced as admissible evidence for the jury; evidence of association between people and gangs showing off proceeds of crime, which are often in view.

“We are here to prosecute people who terrorise their communities.

“That is what gang-related activity can relate to. Anybody going out armed, intending to commit serious violence, we intend to prosecute and will present the strongest case.”

Douglas Mackay, West Midlands Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor, insisted they were not targeting specific groups but added drill music lyrics and videos can be useful in helping to solve crimes.