An investigation by the children’s commissioner has found that around 27,000 children are in gangs across England but that only a small fraction of these are known to the authorities.
Indeed, authorities in some high-risk areas had “no information” on the levels of gang activity and risk among children. Of the 27,000 children thought to be in gangs, the investigation estimates that just 6,560 gang members or associates are identified by children’s services or youth offending teams.
The findings of the investigation have been published in two reports – Keeping Kids Safe and The Characteristics of Gang-associated Children and Young People.
The reports offer vital safeguarding information for schools and children’s services. They find that compared to other children known to social services or other child offenders, those with gang associations are:
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