Coronavirus could fuel rise in gang warfare as rival dealers battle over ‘dwindling revenue streams’ from lack of parties and drug use amid crisis, ex-Met Police counter-terror chief warns
- The lack of social interaction because of coronavirus could fuel drug gang wars
- A former counter-terror chief has warned the violence may strain the NHS more
- With social distancing and isolation, demand for illegal drugs expected to fall
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Social restrictions introduced to tackle the spread of coronavirus could lead to increased levels of gang violence, a former counter-terrorism chief has warned.
Criminal gangs who rely on income from illegal drugs will see a reduction in demand for their product as social distancing comes into force across the UK.
A lack of parties and the closure of clubs, pubs and restaurants is expected to lead to increase rivalry between gangs over ‘dwindling revenue streams’, the Policing a Pandemic report by the Policy Exchange said.
Richard Walton, former head of counter-terrorism at the Metropolitan Police and co-author of the report, believes that this could increase the strain on an already stretched NHS.
Richard Walton, former head of counter-terrorism at the Metropolitan Police, has warned social distancing could lead to a rise in drug gang violence
He told the Times: ‘The risk with an increase in gang violence over the coming months is that stabbings in particular so often require intensive care treatment.
‘Hospitals must be spared this extra strain on their resources as they cope with the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.’
Despite the coronavirus plaguing the UK, violence across the country has continued, particularly in the capital.
Yesterday, a woman was arrested for attempted murder after one man was mowed down by a car and another one was stabbed nearby in broad daylight.
Police were called to the scene in Acton, London, shortly before 1pm.
Last week, two men were arrested after the victim of a north London street shooting died in hospital, police said.
Scotland Yard said two men had been arrested following the death of Abdullahi Mahmoud, 29, from Enfield, north London.
Police were called to a report of a shooting in Hertford Road in Enfield shortly after 4.30pm on Thursday.
A cleaner works at an empty Covent Garden as social restrictions in the capital start to take effect
A member of the public is seen on a empty Northern Line train yesterday amid the coronavirus outbreak
There have already been more than 20 murders in London alone this year.
It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his government urged people to stay indoors to avoid spreading the killer virus.
It is claimed that Mr Johnson faces the threat of a Tory revolt unless he imposes an Italy-style lockdown as early as today.
After a weekend in which crowds flocked to parks and landmarks to take advantage of sunshine, the PM effectively put the nation on its final warning last night, saying there should be ‘no doubt’ he would take draconian action.
He made clear a full lockdown would be ‘actively’ considered ‘in the next 24 hours’, pointing to measures in Italy and France – where all municipal spaces have been closed, and police have been on patrol fining people who leave the house without a valid reason.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock underlined this morning that a decision is expected ‘very soon’, hitting out at ‘selfish’ behaviour and saying ‘nothing is off the table’.