Yard: Put children in care to stop them joining gang

The Met Commissioner spoke out after the murder of seven teenagers in gang-related violence in the capital since January.

He argued that there needs to be a radical overhaul of the way in which society tackles the growing problem of teenage violence.

Sir Ian said children in the families of gang members must be treated as if they are at risk - in the same way as those whose parents are violent and abusive - and should be placed on the protection register. In the most extreme cases, they should be taken into care for their own safety, he said.

Police chiefs regard peer pressure from brothers and sisters as one of the key drivers for gang recruitment.

Policing alone will not make a lasting impact on the threat of gang violence, Sir Ian said.

"The solution to the problems of youth violence go far wider than policing," he told The Guardian.

"There is a need to think outside the box. While the response of the Metropolitan Police and other forces will be extremely robust around youth violence when it is committed, we should also be thinking about how to stop children drifting into these gangs.

"One of the ideas I have asked to be explored is that where an older sibling is clearly involved in gang activity the right way forward is that there should be a child-protection approach for any younger sibling who is clearly at risk of moving into a lifestyle which is extremely dangerous to that child."

Sir Ian's comments were welcomed by some groups who work with young people.

Les Isaac, of the Ascension Trust street pastors initiative in south London, said the latest teenage shooting in Manchester, in which 12-yearold Kamilah Peniston was killed, demonstrated the problem the Met chief was trying to solve.

He said: "The incident in Manchester this week highlights what we are saying. Children are living in a fantasy world, they don't realise how dangerous these things are and accidents do happen."

Sir Ian's comments come as the Met publishes an analysis of gangs in the capital that shows more young refugees are becoming involved in violence.

The report states: "There is an increase in young people with significant post-traumatic stress resulting from witnessing and being involved in significant violent situations prior to arrival in the UK. These young people appear to have a disproportionate negative impact on their peer groups."

The report, which will be presented to the Metropolitan Police Authority today, reveals there are at least 171 gangs in London, including three girl gangs.

It also states: "There is evidence that sisters and girlfriends of gang members are used to mind weapons."

It also reveals there is currently no provision for helping the increasing numbers of teenagers who want to get away from gang culture.