HILLINGDON is home to ten gangs according to a police list covering the whole of London which emerged last week.

The borough's streets are the territory of the likes of Risky Boys, Bombing Unit 1, AK47 Gang and WDB (West Drayton Boys).

However, police are playing down the importance of the list, saying it is only part of the Met's analysis of gangs in the capital.

Compiled by Scotland Yard's specialist crime directorate, the gang names have been taken from open sources, such as the internet and the media.

Across London, a total of 257 gangs are listed, significantly more than the 171 confirmed active by police in the past.

Vishakha Patel, a spokesman for the Met said: "We have specific intelligence on 171 gangs in London.

"Certain groups are known by more than one name, and this makes accurate assessment of numbers difficult.

"We also know young people claim to be part of something, when they aren't.

"The list was not released to the public as it is based on rumour and hearsay from the internet and media."

She said police will not name gangs publicly, or provide a top ten of the most violent, as doing so would glorify such groups, and may encourage people to join.

She described the list as dated, and no longer relevant to intelligence on violent gangs in London.

Guru Ji Gulshan Singh of the Kali Mata Mandir temple in Botwell Common Road, Hayes, contacted the Hillingdon Times earlier this year to pledge his support for the paper's anti-knife campaign.

He said: "I am totally against gangs and the trouble that is sometimes associated with them. There are always youngsters hanging around the streets and many are in gangs.

"They are often influenced by what they see on TV programmes, so I feel that is partly to blame.

"In my opinion they are not into crime; it's all about territory and marking their town or area by creating a name for themselves.

"What they don't know is the consequences of using weapons. There is no obedience, and that's what is needed to get the youths of the streets."

Are you in a gang or have you been affected by gang culture?

If so the Hillingdon Times wants to hear your story. Email mmistry@london.newsquest.co.uk, or call 01923 216 277.

Hillingdon's Gangs: NN (Nasty Niggers), Risky Boys (Northolt), AK47 Gang; Bombing Unit, DTU (Don't Touch Us), Section 18 Crew, DK (Destroy Kids), WDM (West Drayton Boys), AK (Academemic Kids), Hillingdon Hard Core.