Parents face gang culture action

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Parents of children involved in gang violence should be "held to account", ministers are to argue as they warn of the growing threat of gang culture.

Children's minister Beverley Hughes will say that "all means" should be used to protect vulnerable children, including action against parents.

Further detail of what measures might be taken is expected later.

"Lax" parental supervision is one cause of youngsters turning to gangs, new government guidance on the threat says.

Ministers are urging early intervention to stop gang-related "cycles of crime".

Danger signs

Ms Hughes will warn later that more children, including young girls, are becoming members of gangs.

New guidelines from the Department for Children, Schools and Families are designed to help social workers and other professionals identify children who have already fallen into gangs or those who are particularly at risk of doing so.

Youth workers are being told to look out for children who have lots of disposable money and expensive possessions.

Other "danger signs" of gang involvement highlighted include new nicknames and graffiti-style tags on children's school books.

Ms Hughes will say that children with sibling gang members are especially at risk of being drawn into a world in which drug use, violence and sexual abuse is commonplace.

"When younger brothers and sisters are in danger of being drawn into gangs, it is a child safety issue too and every means of protecting them must be used, including holding parents to account.

"This guidance aims to help early detection, intervention and support for those most at risk."

While trying to safeguard the welfare of young children, local authorities, schools and other public bodies must make sure violent gang members are held to account, she will add.

The guidance comes in the wake of a series of high-profile gang-related killings in recent years that have highlighted how deep-rooted gang culture has become in a number of UK cities.