Teenager in council care to be made ward of court amid gang violence fears

A High Court judge has taken steps aimed at protecting a youth who may be at risk of gang violence after talking to police.

Mr Justice Williams has made the teenager a ward of court, a move which gives a judge overall parental control.

He heard that the youth had given a “very detailed statement” to police after getting caught up in gang activity, and might be a witness at a trial.

The judge said police were concerned that the teenager, who will turn 18 this year and is in council care, could be attacked or killed by gang members.

Mr Justice Williams revealed detail of the case in a written ruling after analysing evidence at a private hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

He said council social services bosses had asked him to make decisions about the teenager’s future.

The judge said no-one involved could be identified.

But he said he had heard evidence from a police officer involved in Operation Trident, an operation set up by the Metropolitan Police aimed at tackling gun crime in Afro-Caribbean communities in London.

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