Children as young as primary school age are being arrested for gun-related offenses, raising concerns that county lines gangs are exploiting them as carriers of weapons. Data from police forces in England and Wales shows at least 1,369 under-18s were arrested for firearms crimes over the past two financial years, with some as young as 11 years old.
Experts believe that older criminals are pressuring young individuals to transport weapons, assuming that children are less likely to be stopped and searched by law enforcement. Additionally, there are worries that firearms are being glorified as symbols of status, enticing children involved in gang culture and online posturing.
The statistics indicate a troubling trend of children being drawn into the violent drug underworld before reaching the age to take their GCSE exams. County lines gangs are known for exploiting vulnerable youngsters through threats, violence, and coercion to transport drugs, cash, and weapons.
Social services are anticipated to investigate cases involving child suspects in gun-related incidents to determine if they were coerced into criminal activities and to provide pathways out of gang involvement. The actual number of child arrests related to firearms is likely higher as some police forces did not provide data.
Notable figures include the Metropolitan Police recording 261 juvenile firearms arrests, West Midlands Police with 165, and Greater Manchester Police with 98. Several forces, such as North Wales, Devon and Cornwall, West Yorkshire, and Greater Manchester, reported arrests of children aged as young as 11 or 12.
It is important to note that the data does not specify the type of weapon involved in each case but campaigners stress that even imitation firearms can be used for intimidation and criminal purposes. As concerns mount over criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable children, the Home Office describes County Lines as a particularly violent method of drug distribution, highlighting the exploitation of children and vulnerable individuals.
Government figures reveal that around 15,500 children were identified as at risk of or involved in criminal exploitation in the year leading up to March 2025, with the actual scale likely to be greater. Stakeholders emphasize the need for early recognition of vulnerability, building trust with young individuals, and providing meaningful opportunities to steer them away from criminal influences.
Various experts in the field, such as Daniel Morris from Catch22 and James Simmonds-Read from The Children’s Society, emphasize the victimhood of exploited children and the urgency for targeted support and prosecution of adult criminals. Assistant Chief Constable Ian Parnell underscores policing efforts to combat firearms crime and prevent the involvement of young people in gang activities. He also mentions enhanced powers under the Crime and Policing Act to address child criminal exploitation and bring perpetrators to justice.
