Gangs, Knives and Pervs: Are Gangs of Youths And Pervy Men Preying On Our Women And Children?

Havering Parents Demand Action as Teens Terrorised After School.

A disturbing rise in street crime and harassment has left Havering residents deeply concerned as gangs of hooded youths and predatory individuals target schoolchildren and women across the borough.

Across Havering, there has been a visible increase in groups of teenagers wearing hoodies and face coverings — despite soaring summer temperatures. These gangs have been accused of intimidating, threatening and in some cases robbing children, particularly as they leave school. Reports suggest incidents have occurred near stations, on the Elizabeth Line and around bus stops, with children allegedly being robbed at knifepoint.

One resident told us: “My son was approached just after leaving school. A group of boys in masks surrounded him, threatened him, and took his phone.”

The fear doesn’t end with children. Women and girls have also found themselves harassed on public transport and in public spaces. Shockingly, local parents have reported men loitering near bus stops and train stations, leering at young girls and even brazenly asking to take their photographs.

Social media is awash with similar stories. Parents have taken to Facebook and neighbourhood forums to share frightening accounts of what their children are experiencing — only to be met with replies that echo the same frustration: nothing is being done.

Despite the public anger, many of these incidents are not formally reported, leading to a major concern: if crimes are not logged, police resources cannot be deployed. Officers and community safety teams rely on crime statistics to justify patrols and interventions. No report means no record — and no action.

Residents have also raised concerns about a lack of visible policing. While local police teams work tirelessly under difficult conditions, chronic underfunding and constant abstractions to cover protests in central London have left boroughs like Havering desperately short of boots on the ground.

Havering Daily has consistently reported on this — from the dwindling number of officers on patrol to the dilapidated state of police stations. The community wants policing restored, not defunded. They want safety for their children, and they want women to be able to walk home without fear.

It is not acceptable for males to loiter around young girls. It is not acceptable to leer, catcall or ask to take photos of schoolchildren. And it is certainly not acceptable for gangs of masked youths to walk our streets intimidating and robbing innocent young people.

We urge all residents: report every incident. Speak to your Safer Neighbourhood Team, use 101, or report online through the Met Police portal. Without your voice, these crimes fall through the cracks.

Havering is a strong, community-driven borough. Let’s not allow gangs and predators to steal that from us.

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