MEMBERS of a drug-dealing gang have been placed under strict conditions - banning them from part of Thurrock, wearing hoods, and appearing in”drill rap” videos.

The gang, named C17, have been linked to serious violence and anti-social behaviour, as well as being accused of preying on young children in the community.

An injunction secured against two members on Friday, takes the total number to nine, with both police and Thurrock Council insisting there has been a positive response since the initial injunction.

The gang have been accused of enticing youngsters to join the gang, and then exploiting them by getting them to run drugs or carry cash or knives.

During the injunction hearing, the court were told the gang use young girls, including those who are missing from home, to hold drugs, and a number have been investigated for child sexual exploitation offences.

The violence surrounding the gang centres on rivalry with other gangs, drug lines, and “drill” music videos, filmed by members of C17 which feature weapons and provocative language and gestures.

This violence took a tragic turn when Jordan Douherty, the 15-year-old brother of gang leader Roland, was murdered in Romford in June this year.

Chief Supt Andrew Mariner said: “The C17 gang have not just been selling drugs on our streets, they have been targetting young people and getting them involved in gang life, preying on the vulnerable, exploiting young girls and have been responsible for unprecedented levels of serious violence, crime and disorder, including attacks involving acid, stabbings and violent robberies.

“They have left some businesses and members of our community afraid to go about their daily business.

“Our operation Raptor team have repeatedly and proactively targeted this gang, arresting many of C17 and remanding and convicting a number for a range of serious offences, but we have not stopped there.

“The sad reality is that a number of members of this gang, including some of the elder, have at some point in their life been missing children.

“It is often the cycle of vulnerability that results in a lifetime of violence.

“We have already had one member of this gang who has died in violent circumstances, and it is time that violence stops.”

A full injunction, which was secured at Chelmsford County Court in September applies to Roland Douherty aka ‘Valenti’, 18 of Cardinal Road, Chafford Hundred, Grays and Ayomide Olarbigbe aka ‘Riggz’, 22 of Willow Street, Romford.

The full injunction was also granted in August in relation to two boys, aged 16 from Grays, and 17 from Dagenham who cannot be named for legal reasons.

An interim injunction, which was secured at Chelmsford Youth Court in the Summer applies to three boys from Grays two aged 17 and one aged 15.

The injunction has been contested by these three youngsters and a further hearing in relation to it will take place at Chelmsford Youth Court on November 30.

A hearing to secure an injunction against a further two individuals took place on Friday.

Those individuals are Reece Stoddart, 19, of London Road, Grays and Bill Monteiro, 25, of Darnley Road, Grays.