Women and girls groomed by gangs and forced to sell drugs should NOT face criminal charges, CPS says
Women and girls groomed by gangs and forced to sell drugs should not face criminal charges, the Crown Prosecution Service said today.
It comes after prosecutors warned gang members are starting relationships with women and girls in order to covertly sell drugs from their homes.
A growing trend has seen gang members prey on vulnerable women, in some cases 'sexually assaulting, beating and prostituting' them in order to control them and aid their crimes.
New legal guidance published on Wednesday aims to address the increasing number of females involved in gang-related crimes.
The Crown Prosecution Service document advises lawyers to consider if there is evidence they have been forced or groomed into committing an offence.
A growing treand has seen gang members prey on vulnerable women, in some cases 'sexually assaulting, beating and prostituting' them in order to aid their crimes (stock image)
'Some gang members enter into relationships with women and girls who they control, coerce and subject to domestic abuse,' it states.
'In county lines, a trend has been seen where gang members enter into a relationship with a female, and then use her address for dealing drugs.
'The females become intimidated by the gang member and continue with the relationship through fear.
'They may be controlled through coercive or abusive behaviour to the point that they are used for prostitution.'
Claire Lindley, CPS lead on serious violence, said victims could avoid charges if they have been involved in criminal activity.
But she added that the guidance was not a 'blanket' ban on prosecuting vulnerable people including women and girls, as some may be willingly complicit in the crimes.
'Gang-related violence is a blight on our communities and this guidance will help steer the effective prosecution of those who commit these sickening crimes,' she said.
'But it is vital we look into the evidence behind that involvement, especially where vulnerable women and girls are concerned to assess if they have been forced or groomed into committing crimes.
'We see cases of some being sexually assaulted, beaten, and controlled, and in some cases, prostituted for sexual favours or for payment for drugs.
It has prompted the Crown Prosecution Service to issue guidance advising lawyers to consider if there is evidence they have been forced or groomed into committing an offence (stock image)
Claire Lindley, CPS lead on serious violence, the guidance was not a 'blanket' ban on prosecuting vulnerable people including women and girls (stock image)
'Criminal gangs often prey on vulnerable people - some are forced into debt bondage, or face being stabbed or shot if they go to the police or a rival gang.
'We must also recognise that some women and girls may be complicit in this offending which is why our expert prosecutors are trained to look at the evidence provided by police to identify when prosecution is appropriate.'
The 'decision-making in 'gang' related offences' guidance has been drawn up by the CPS for lawyers gathering evidence to put before the courts.
It covers gang culture and recruitment tactics used by county lines drug dealers - a model which often sees young and vulnerable people used as couriers to move drugs and cash between cities and smaller towns.
The guidance also outlines how drill music and social media is being used to glamorise the gang lifestyle and the use of weapons.
But the country's top prosecutor said there must be enough evidence to prove gang involvement before applying the label in court.
Max Hill QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, said: 'Our prosecutors know the damage that gang-related crime can cause and where gang membership is part of the offence we will present the strongest possible evidence in court to make that clear.
'But we also have a duty to present clear and accurate information in court, and if there is no evidence someone is in a gang then it would be prejudicial, and wrong, to suggest gang involvement without evidence.'