Government guidance urges staff to look out for “telltale” signs of gang membership amid growing fears that criminal organisations are targeting under-16s.

The document – published to coincide with a conference on tackling serious youth violence on Thursday – said there was evidence of “younger children carrying or using guns” on behalf of gang members.

It said that girls were now at risk of being drawn into gangs, often as girlfriends of existing members, to “stash weapons and drugs”.

Guidance produced by the Home Office and Department for Children, Schools and Families said female gang members were at particular risk of rape and sexual violence as a form of gang “retribution”.

The warning comes after a report published by a teaching union last year suggested some children had been found bringing weapons such as knuckle dusters, BB guns and meat cleavers into school as street gang culture spilled over into the classroom.

One school told how pupils had been found wearing stab-proof vests amid fears of an attack by rival gang members.

In the latest document, teachers, youth workers and social services are presented with a list of “telltale signs” of children becoming involved in gangs.

This includes starting to use unknown slang words, holding unexplained money, employing a new nickname and adopting different ways or talking and hand signals.

Staff should also recognise sudden changes in appearance – including dressing in similar clothes or colours to that of other groups – and graffiti-style “tags” on books and bags.

Schools and youth centres with suspicions are urged to contact local council social workers or police…. Continue reading

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