One in nine teenagers across England and Wales have been approached by criminals and asked to sell, transport or store drugs, weapons or money, new research has revealed.
More than a quarter of those targeted accepted the offer, representing an estimated 120,000 teenagers nationwide, according to a survey by the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF), a charity focused on preventing youth violence.
The study, which surveyed nearly 11,000 children aged between 13 and 17, found that teenagers were often lured into criminal activity through incentives or coercion. Around 42% were offered money, while 27% were offered drugs or alcohol. Threats were also common, with 22% saying they had been threatened with physical or sexual violence, 18% reporting blackmail, and a similar proportion saying they were told they owed a debt.
Jon Yates, chief executive of the Youth Endowment Fund, said: “It’s horrifying how many children are being targeted to sell, transport or hide drugs. For some, it might seem like a quick favour or easy money, but to put it plainly, we are letting thousands of our children be exploited into crime. We must recognise the warning signs and provide timely support that has been proven to help children break free from this cycle of harm and violence.”
A smaller proportion of teenagers reported involvement in gangs. Around 2.4% said they had been part of a gang in the past year, defined as group-based criminality that identified as such, while a further 4% said they had previously been members. Reasons for joining included peer pressure, boredom, seeking protection or belonging, gaining status or power, settling “beefs”, or wanting money. Among gang members, more than half had sold or transported drugs, or stored drugs, weapons or money.
The research challenges common stereotypes, showing that girls accounted for 39% of gang members aged 13 to 17 in the past year. While a higher proportion of boys said they had sold or transported drugs or hidden drugs, weapons or money, a significant number of girls reported similar involvement.
Teenagers exploited into criminal activity were far more likely to experience serious violence. Nearly half had been victims of violence severe enough to require medical treatment, compared with just 3% of those who had never been approached. More than half had also physically harmed someone themselves, compared with only 1% among those not targeted.
Some children who left gangs said they did so after realising the lifestyle was too stressful or dangerous, or to avoid trouble with the police. Others credited positive influences such as sports or creative programmes, as well as trusted adults including teachers, social workers and youth workers.
One teenager, James, described how he was first offered drugs by older children at the age of 12, saying they helped him cope with family illness, dyslexia and ADHD.
“I remember one day, particularly, and I’ll never ever forget it. They said to me, ‘You smoke all our weed, you drink our alcohol on the weekends, we let you hang around with us, but you’ve never, ever paid for any of this stuff before’,” he recalled.
By the age of 14, James said he was frequently going missing, selling drugs and living in constant fear. “You start picturing things in your head – that you’re about to die, or someone might run along and shoot you, or you’re about to get kidnapped, or the police come along again,” he said.
James said he struggled to access support to leave the gang and felt dismissed after being arrested. “I believed that I was now in this situation and no one was going to help me get out of it,” he said.
After connecting with the Leaders Unlocked youth charity, James was able to receive legal support that led to his charges being dropped. “They exposed me to normal situations and helped me to understand that there are opportunities out there to be successful without going down certain paths,” he said.
The Youth Endowment Fund highlighted focused deterrence as a particularly effective intervention. The approach combines swift and proportionate police enforcement with tailored support to address the root causes of violence. YEF is currently piloting the programme in partnership with the Home Office, backed by £8m, with findings expected in 2028.
