'Girl Gang' Culture Prompts Car Crime Rise

Direct Line's new Vandalism Report showed that the car crimes - which include smashing windows and scratching paintwork - are currently on the rise. Particularly sharp growth among perpetrators was found in girls aged 11 and 17, who have committed 50 per cent more crimes in each year since 2004.

The research also found that 30 per cent of all UK drivers have fallen victim to car vandalism. This figure is up sharply from the one in ten (11 per cent) who suffered from the car insurance claims-triggering crime two years ago.

Jennifer Culley, spokesperson for Direct Line car insurance, said: "Our UK Vandalism Report suggests the number of female car vandals appears to be part of an overall escalation in the number of car vandalism incidents. The growing trend of ‘girl gang' culture does seem to be responsible for a significant percentage of car vandalism crimes."

Commenting on the research, psychotherapist Christine Webber added: "We should never forget that out-of-control rage could possibly end up in a criminal conviction. That would prove a lot more stressful than taking a decision to tackle stress levels before we lose our rag."

She added: "When we resort to vandalism we totally lose any moral high-ground we might have had."