New research has uncovered a disturbing pattern of criminal exploitation targeting teenagers across England and Wales. A major survey indicates that one in nine young people aged 13 to 17 have been approached and asked to sell, move, or store drugs, weapons, or money.
Scale of Exploitation and Coercive Tactics
The study, conducted by the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) charity, gathered responses from nearly 11,000 children. It found that more than a quarter of those who were approached ultimately accepted the offer. This equates to approximately 120,000 teenagers across the two nations becoming involved in such activities.
Criminals use a mix of enticements and threats to recruit young people. The survey revealed that 42% were offered money, while 27% were tempted with drugs or alcohol. For others, the pressure was far more sinister. About 22% reported threats of physical or sexual violence, 18% faced blackmail, and a similar proportion were told they owed a debt.
Inside Teenage Gang Membership
The survey also provided a snapshot of gang involvement. It found that 2.4% of respondents had been a member of a gang in the past year, with a further 4% saying they had been members previously. The definition used was group-based criminality where the group identified as a gang.
Motivations for joining were varied, including peer pressure, boredom, seeking protection or a sense of belonging, and the desire for money, status, or power. More than half (55%) of those in gangs had been involved in selling or transporting drugs, or storing illicit items.
Challenging stereotypes, the data showed that girls made up 39% of gang members in the 13-17 age bracket over the past year. While 4.2% of boys reported selling drugs or hiding contraband, 2.5% of girls said they had done the same.
Severe Consequences and Pathways Out
The consequences of this exploitation are severe and violent. Nearly half (48%) of the children drawn into crime had been victims of violence serious enough to require medical treatment—a rate 18 times higher than those never approached. Furthermore, 51% had physically hurt someone else, compared to just 1% of their non-involved peers.
Jon Yates, Chief Executive of the Youth Endowment Fund, stated: “It’s horrifying how many children are being targeted... we are letting thousands of our children be exploited into crime. We must recognise the warning signs and provide timely support.”
Those who left gangs cited growing older, realising the stressful lifestyle was not for them, and a desire to avoid police trouble. Positive influences like sports programmes, creative activities, and trusted adults such as teachers and youth workers were also credited with helping them exit.
The charity highlighted ‘focused deterrence’ as a promising solution. This approach combines proportionate police enforcement with tailored support to tackle root causes. The YEF, backed by £8m in Home Office funding, is piloting this method in England, with results expected in 2028.
The human cost is illustrated by the experience of ‘James’, who was first offered drugs at age 12. He described a descent into selling drugs and living in constant fear, finding it difficult to access support until he connected with the youth charity Leaders Unlocked, which helped him get charges dropped and rebuild his life.
