Coronavirus restrictions 'could lead to more gang violence'

Restrictions brought about by attempts to curb the spread of the coronavirus could lead to increased levels of violence between gangs, a report has said.

Street gangs who rely on income from illegal drugs will see a reduction in demand and a reduction in events associated with drug taking - such as parties - as social distancing restrictions come into force.

In turn, this could increase rivalry between gangs who are faced with "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, told The Times that this could increase the strain on an already stretched NHS.