Police forces across England and Wales recorded at least 1,369 arrests of under-18s linked to firearms offences over the last two financial years14:11, 04 Jul 2026Children barely out of primary school are being arrested for gun crimes amid fears county lines gangs are grooming schoolboys as “weapons mules”.‌Police forces across England and Wales recorded at least 1,369 arrests of under-18s linked to firearms offences over the last two financial years. Some of the children arrested were just 11 years old.‌Experts fear ruthless older criminals are forcing youngsters to carry weapons because they believe children are less likely to be stopped and searched by police.‌There are also concerns that guns are being glamorised as status symbols among children sucked into gang culture and online bravado.The figures raise fears that children are being dragged into Britain’s violent drugs underworld before they are old enough to sit their GCSEs.‌County Lines gangs are known to groom vulnerable children, using threats, debt, violence and intimidation to make them carry drugs, cash and weapons.Social services are expected to examine cases involving child gun suspects to see whether they have been coerced into crime and whether they can be offered a route out of gang life.‌The true number of child firearms arrests is likely to be higher because nine of the 45 police forces in England and Wales were unable to provide figures.The biggest totals came from forces covering major cities, with the Met recording 261 juvenile firearms arrests, West Midlands Police logging 165 and Greater Manchester Police 98.Forces that arrested children as young as 11 included North Wales, Devon and Cornwall, West Midlands and Greater Manchester, while West Yorkshire disclosed it had arrested a 12-year-old.‌The data does not show whether each case involved a real gun, imitation firearm, air weapon, taser or another weapon covered by firearms law.But campaigners warn that even imitation weapons can be used to threaten victims, settle scores or help gangs terrorise children into doing their bidding.The figures come amid growing concern that criminal gangs are treating vulnerable children as disposable foot soldiers in the drugs trade.‌The Home Office has described County Lines as the “most violent model of drug supply” and says gangs exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store drugs and money.Officials say these children are often controlled through coercion, intimidation, violence and weapons, turning them into disposable foot soldiers for older gang bosses.Government figures show around 15,500 children were identified as at risk of, or involved in, child criminal exploitation in the year to March 2025, with ministers admitting the true scale is likely to be higher.‌Daniel Morris, Assistant Director of Young People and Families at Catch22, said: “The arrests of children barely out of primary school is very concerning, and we must recognise that they are victims first and foremost.“Many of these children have been exploited by adults who groom, coerce, and manipulate them for criminal gain, which includes forcing them to carry weapons.“While enforcement has an important role to play, the reasons why a child may be carrying a weapon are complex and ultimately the long-term solution lies in prevention.‌“This looks like recognising vulnerability early, building trusted relationships, and providing meaningful opportunities that genuinely reflect the interests, aspirations, and realities of young people today.“If we want to draw a line under violence and exploitation, we must create environments where children have positive alternatives, feel a sense of belonging, and can see a future beyond the influence of those who seek to exploit them.”James Simmonds-Read, National Programme Manager at The Children’s Society, said: “The number of children being exploited to carry weapons is rising and age groups being targeted by criminals is getting younger. This demands urgent action.‌"Children being groomed and exploited are victims not criminals. When a child is coerced into carrying a weapon or carrying drugs, we need to keep a laser focus on prosecuting the adults responsible, while making sure that young people are offered the right support at the right time with a trusted professional to rebuild their lives.”Assistant Chief Constable Ian Parnell, national lead for Criminal Use of Firearms, said: “Firearms crime in the UK remains among the lowest in the world, however policing is not complacent and tackling the criminal use of firearms remains a priority.“The likelihood is that the vast majority of these arrests relate to possession of an imitation weapon as - together with partners including the NCA and NABIS - policing works relentlessly to pursue criminals and to disrupt the supply chain to prevent lethal weapons falling into criminal hands.‌“However, imitation weapons can be just as concerning, as they can be used for criminal purposes and to instil the fear of violence.“Forces across the country work with the partner agencies and the National County Lines Coordination Centre to prevent young people becoming involved in gangs and the associated criminality, and to safeguard those who have been exploited by ruthless gangs.“Increased powers under the Crime and Policing Act, which came in to force earlier this year, will also better enable officers to tackle child criminal exploitation (CCE) and bring those responsible to justice.”Article continues below