'Gangbos' to be extended to 14-year-olds

Powers aimed at tackling violent gangs are to be extended to children as young as 14, it was disclosed today.

The civil injunctions known as "Gangbos" would impose restrictions on gang members such as stopping them meeting each other, wearing gang colours, going to their "patch" or having a violent dog.

Breach of an order could lead to new and tighter restrictions, such as a requirement to report to the police, wear a tag obey a curfew.

The orders could also force gang members to go on anger management courses to encourage them to change their behaviour.

Repeated breaches could, ultimately, be met with a custodial sentence in a young offenders' institution.

Measures allowing adult gang members to be hit with the injunctions became law last week.

The powers for over 18s were passed in the Policing and Crime Act, and the first orders are likely to be issued in the spring.

But new proposals in the Crime and Security Bill, published today, would extend Gangbos to 14-17-year-olds.

Home Office officials said the powers would make communities feel safer and would be targeted only at proven violent gang members.

They predicted "tens" rather than hundreds of children would be covered by the orders when they came into force.

Civil liberties groups reacted with fury at the announcement.

Anita Coles, policy officer for Liberty, warned that the orders could target innocent teenagers and members of ethnic groups.

She said: "Gangbos are yet another gimmick for punishing people without a fair trial.

"They will sweep up the innocent more than the guilty and could quickly become divisive along racial lines.

"This law was passed just last week on the understanding that it wouldn't be applied to children.

"The ink isn't dry and the policy isn't tested but ministers want to spin this power still further."