Disrupting gang recruiters reduces the 'malign influence' they have over children, say Irish researchers

Eoin O’Meara-Daly, assistant director of Research Evidence into Policy, Programmes and Practice, stressed the role of poverty and marginalisation in driving gang recruitment

Europol, the EU police agency, says a 'growing number' of children are involved in organised crime and the drugs trade. File photo

Disrupting the activities of local gang recruiters plays a key role in tackling the “malign influence” they can exercise over children, according to EU-backed Irish researchers.

Combined with family supports, community-driven projects, digital safeguarding and school programmes, these measures form “core interventions” in preventing young people being snared into serious criminality.