Female gangs are currently operating on the Island, according to Acting Assistant Commissioner James Howard.

And Police have seen a rise in anti-social behaviour among girls under the age of 18.

"There are female gangs on the Island, affiliated with the known male gangs," Mr. Howard said. "All gang activity is concerning and we are working hard to stop it.

"We have a couple of women on the prolific priority offenders list."

Anti-social behaviour such as breaching the peace and public intoxication is increasingly witnessed in females 18 and under, said Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Wright.

On Tuesday The Royal Gazette reported that several young children at Victor Scott Primary living in the Pembroke area feared for their lives and safety because of the gang violence there.

Some of the nine-year-olds said it was not just males perpetrating the violence they were concerned that girls were now involved.

One wrote: "It is hard to live in a neighbourhood with violence. I pray that the next day will not be unhappy.

"I hope that the girls on the street don't do anything else bad."

Another said: "Stop with the killing and the bad news. And the gangs that are happening nowadays, like boy gangs and girl gangs. The girls are getting worse and worse, and so are the boys. I want to be happy again."