Los Angeles gangs taking over UK streets, says police census

London, Apr.15 (ANI): Britain is reportedly becoming a battleground for the notorious Bloods and Crips gangs that once brought fear to Los Angeles. ccording to a report in The Sun, a quarter of these gangs have aligned themselves with the two crime networks in London.

A recent police census into gangs in the capital found 17 of 70 recognised crews are now Bloods or Crips.

The massive UK market for cocaine has led to second generation members launching a new "front" here and in Spain.

A Sun investigation found that hundreds of members are donning the gangs' red or blue colours and bragging of their allegiances on social networking sites.

Insiders said small street crews have been grouping together - copying the LA super gangs' culture and tactics and communicating with overseas counterparts.

Ex-LA gangster Twilight - who now works to curb gang violence in West London - said kids as young as seven are carrying knives and swearing allegiance to UK Bloods and Crips.

He said: "For some, it's not serious - they see it as games or part of their street culture and identity to adopt practices from LA. But the problem starts when they carry knives and get into arguments - then the violence follows and gang membership escalates."

UK crime expert Wensley Clarkson said former LA-based Bloods and Crips are now plying their trade in Europe.

"Britain offers rich pickings for these gangs as there's still a huge market for cocaine," he said.

Police told The Sun Bloods and Crips rivalry in London intensified after the stabbing of Seyi Ogunyemi, 16, in Stockwell last April.

More than 1,000 gangs were known to be operating in Britain last year. (ANI)