More children becoming gang members

Children's Minister Beverley Hughes warned more children - and more girls - are becoming members of gangs.

Youngsters whose brothers and sisters are also in street gangs are particularly at risk, she said.

Her comments come as the Department for Children, Schools and Families launches guidance for social workers and youth offending teams on how to spot children who have joined gangs.

Ms Hughes said: "Involvement in gang activity is a very real and complex issue facing many children and young people, and this guidance aims to help early detection, intervention and support for those most at risk.

"Lots of work is already being done by those who work with young people and across Government to tackle the problem of gangs, both from a wider preventative perspective and a public protection angle. And when younger brothers and sisters are in danger of being drawn into gangs it's a child safety issue too and every means of protecting them must be used, including holding parents to account."

Youth workers should look out for children who have lots of cash or expensive possessions, the guidance warns. A new nickname and graffiti-style "tags" on their school books can also suggest gang involvement, it says.

The guidance document reveals a shocking picture of life in Britain's gangs.

The guidance sets out terms used within gangs to identify members' ranks such as "tinys", "wannabes" and "associates". And gang members could be forced to commit sexual abuse or other violent acts as part of the "initiation rituals", the report warns.

"Violence can be a means by which gang members gain respect and recognition, in initiation ceremonies, to progress in the gang hierarchy or to gain immunity from attacks. Once someone has been accepted into a gang they can feel under pressure to commit further offences to maintain respect," the report states.