Salerno baby gang: seven minors charged with assaults and illegal weapon possession

Seven minors, aged 14 to 15, were identified in Salerno and charged with personal injury, beatings, bullying and the illegal possession of weapons, including tasers and switchblade knives. The offenses occurred in February in Piazza della Libertà and nearby areas, targeting other youths.

The investigation was led by a specialised police unit and the Prosecutor’s Office of Salerno, relying on protected victim statements, eyewitness accounts, and CCTV footage from public and private cameras. Targeted searches resulted in the seizure of the weapons. The youths were interrogated in the presence of their legal guardians and lawyers, and social services were engaged to examine the families and provide required social and psychological support. The prosecutor highlighted the grave seriousness of the phenomenon, noting its motivation by group dominance and affirming the office’s priority to combat baby‑gang activity.