One in nine teenagers in England and Wales have been approached by criminals to sell, move or store drugs, weapons or money, according to a survey by the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF). The anti-youth violence charity found that more than a quarter of those approached accepted the offer, representing around 120,000 young people.
The survey of nearly 11,000 children aged 13 to 17 revealed that many are enticed with rewards: 42% were offered money, 27% drugs or alcohol. Others faced threats, with 22% threatened with physical or sexual violence, 18% blackmailed, and a similar proportion told they owed a debt.
Jon Yates, YEF chief executive, said: “It’s horrifying how many children are being targeted… we are letting thousands of our children be exploited into crime.” The charity highlighted that girls made up 39% of gang members in the past year, challenging stereotypes of a male-dominated problem.
Children who were exploited were far more likely to experience serious violence: 48% had been victims of violence requiring medical treatment, compared with 3% of those never approached. More than half had also physically hurt someone themselves.
One former gang member, James, was first offered drugs aged 12 and by 14 was selling drugs and living in fear. After being arrested, he struggled to access support but eventually found help through the Leaders Unlocked youth charity, which helped him get charges dropped and find a path away from crime.
YEF is piloting a focused deterrence approach with the Home Office, backed by £8m, to combine police enforcement with tailored support. Results are expected in 2028.
