Increasing numbers of young women are at risk of being exploited by dangerous gangs in Greenwich, it has been revealed.

More and more girls are being linked to gangs as “girlfriends”, often for more than one member, or being used as drug runners to other London boroughs, according to a shocking new council report.

A look into how the borough is dealing with knife crime and youth violence has revealed that increasing numbers of girls are being used by gangs to further their criminal operations.

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In the last eight months, 16 women in Greenwich have been found to have links to gangs.

“Sometimes girls and young women believe they are girlfriends of gang members when they are not and at other times they are one of several girlfriends of a single gang member,” the report says.

“These relationships are often exploitative and often involve some form of sexual exploitation.”

Some girls are also being used in drug-dealing, running narcotics in and out of the borough.

“Although there is no evidence to suggest that there are any gangs members in Greenwich…it is not uncommon for girls to become involved in county lines through their ‘boyfriend’ gang members,” the report says.

Work is being carried out by the council, police and schools through the Greenwich Risk Adolescent Safeguarding Prevention (GRASP) to try and identify and protect girls at risk of gangs.

The St Giles Trust and the Abianda Project have been brought in by the council to help gang members, and protect young women affected by criminal groups.

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Kids as young as primary school age are being taught to avoid gangs through violence awareness, according to the report, with education being a key strategy for the council in tackling crime.

Councillors will debate youth violence at a meeting next week, Thursday January 24.