Children who kill: how “baby gangs” terrorize Italy “Spain is not immune to a right-wing wave”

Five years ago, Gaetano wanted to spend a nice afternoon with his cousin. As the 15-year-old from Naples stood at a subway station, he was suddenly surrounded by a group. The boys were all about the same age as Gaetano – and they were clearly outnumbered: twelve children started beating Gaetano. For no reason. The brutal violence injured him so badly that his spleen had to be removed with emergency surgery.

Various media reports about the fate of Gaetano. He became another victim of a series attributed to the “baby gangs”. “Baby gangs” are unpredictable and sow fear and terror in the streets of Italy.

The emergence

Social decline, economic problems and a lack of parental supervision are just some of the reasons that contribute to the emergence of criminal youth gangs. Their members are often no older than eleven or twelve years.

“Baby gangs” – that’s what the media and the police like to call the criminal youth gangs.

Many of the underage members of these gangs grow up in precarious conditions, experience violence in their families and do not have access to adequate education or social support systems. As a result, they seek community and recognition in the ranks of “baby gangs.”

Another common reason is the «Camorra». Organized criminal Italian family clans in Naples and the Campania region are called Camorra. As many Camorra bosses have been killed or arrested in recent years, the youth continue to rise. It is often the children of the clan bosses who want to protect their parents’ “territory”, the “NZZ” writes at the time.

Power, drugs and revenge

The minors fight for power, drugs and control – they continue to fight the ancient battles of the Camorra.

The children and young people compete for control over neighborhoods or areas that may be of economic importance to them, for example because they facilitate illegal drug trafficking.

Often the gangs are also rival groups vying for recognition and respect in the local criminal hierarchy. Often the members of the baby gangs themselves are attacked, injured or killed during such clashes. Then it’s about revenge and retaliation.

Any act of violence can lead to an escalation and further fuel the conflict between the gangs.

Several Italian cities have been affected

The city of Naples in particular suffers greatly from the “baby gangs”. Time and time again the media reports about children on mopeds riding around with a Kalashnikov in their hands and shooting around Naples. Usually the gangs target other clans. But as the conflict is fought openly, uninvolved civilians are regularly killed as well.

Naples is no longer the only city affected by the gangs. Milan, Rome, Turin and other cities are also struggling. It’s not just about drugs and clan rivalries either. Sometimes the children and young people just want to have fun or act out of boredom.

Out of boredom, the members of the “baby gangs” terrorized bystanders, urinated on the homeless, and beat up passersby. They randomly steal or stab people, the Spiegel and other media reported at the time. Videos on YouTube also show how brutal they are.

Beaten up and robbed

Between 2015 and 2018, the “baby gangs” dominated the headlines of the international media. Nowadays almost nothing is read about it. But the gangs are not gone. On the contrary. For example, three days ago in Rome, a bus driver was beaten up by a “baby gang”, according to the Italian newspaper “La Repubblica”. The reasons for the attack are still unknown – probably a dispute over trivial reasons. The gang hasn’t been caught yet.

In mid-April, a 20-year-old was robbed by five minors in Pavia, writes “La Repubblica”. When he tried to fight back, one of the attackers pulled out a knife and injured the victim’s arm and back. Again, the gang hasn’t been caught yet.

Also in April, a 17-year-old with a disability was gang-trapped and beaten, leaving him in hospital. Girls were raped and others were stabbed or blackmailed.

The list of crimes committed by the “baby gangs” in the past year is long. Very long. And the Italian police seem powerless against them.

countermeasures and challenges

The authorities have long recognized the urgent need to combat the gangs. Much has been done so far, as “Weltspiegel” and “Vice” reported in their articles:

And yet: fighting “baby gangs” is a difficult challenge. Because it’s not that easy to get the young people out of the gangs. Since the members are minors, there are special legal and social challenges in law enforcement and intervention. Juvenile criminal law generally provides for milder sentences and alternative measures such as supervision.

We will have to wait and see how the situation will develop. And also whether the Italian authorities will intervene more.