Rising Threat of Online Gangs Targeting British Teens, Warns National Crime Agency

A recent report from the National Crime Agency reveals a sixfold rise in reported cases of online gangs engaging in sadistic behavior towards minors, indicating an urgent need for awareness and action against these dangerous groups.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) in Britain has issued a stark warning regarding the increasing danger posed by online gangs that target adolescents. In an alarming annual assessment published on March 25, 2025, the NCA characterized the current situation as an “unprecedented risk” to young people, citing a sixfold rise in incidents related to these groups between 2022 and 2024. The agency highlights that these networks are not confined to the dark web; rather, they operate on platforms familiar to minors, making them more accessible and threatening.

Graeme Biggar, director general of the NCA, underscored the severity of the issue, noting how young individuals, particularly teenage boys, are engaging in the sharing of misogynistic and harmful content. The agency expressed particular concern for young girls, some as young as 11, who are being groomed by these gangs to self-harm and, in some tragic cases, encouraged to consider suicide. The organization stresses that the manipulation often involves both grooming and blackmail tactics to pull victims into a vortex of violence and despair.

This rise in online exploitation calls for an urgent response from parents, educators, and policymakers who must prioritize the safety of young people in an increasingly digital world. The NCA underscores the importance of awareness and proactive measures to counteract the influence of these gangs as they exploit the vulnerabilities of the youth population in Britain.