Gangs, Youth Crime, Antisocial Behaviour and Exploitation

Visit the NSPCC webpage for information and advice in relation to gangs and young people.

Family Lives provides information and advice on how to recognise a gang and how to protect children from them.

Read about Royal Greenwich’s approach to tackling youth crime here.

Antisocial behaviour is defined as ‘behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person’. The Met has more information on antisocial behaviour and what you can do about it Antisocial behaviour | Metropolitan Police

The NSPCC has information on talking to young people about their drug and alcohol use Talking about drugs and alcohol | NSPCC

Child Exploitation is when a child or young person is exploited by being given things, like gifts, drugs, money, status and affection. This is usually in exchange for carrying out a criminal activity, known as Child Criminal Exploitation or performing sexual activities, known as Child Sexual Exploitation.

The NSPCC has advice about how to spot the signs of criminal exploitation and involvement in gangs and what support is available for children and young people Criminal exploitation and gangs | NSPCC

Life Safe has information and advice on child criminal exploitation Child criminal exploitation advice for parents | LiveSafe

Download a factsheet on sexual exploitation here.

Money Mules/”Squares” 

“Squares” is the name given to a way of grooming young people for the purpose of money laundering. Young people are either asked to set up new bank accounts, steal bank cards – including their parents, or use their existing accounts for individuals to deposit large amounts of money accumulated through gang related criminal activity. They promise to pay the young people money in return and either request them to withdraw the cash or the account is used for fraudulent activities. Money is then not paid as promised or the young account holders are taking the money for themselves which is leading to violent incidents and threats of harm.

Anyone allowing criminal funds to go through their bank account is facilitating criminal activity and committing Money Laundering, an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

View the Money Sense, Money Mules Factsheet and information from the Metropolitan Police for further information and how you can identify the signs.

If you are concerned that a young person is a victim or perpetrator of “squares” please make a referral to Children’s Services MASH Team on 020 8921 3172 or mash-referrals@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.