A gang member has been jailed after being caught wearing a hoodie and in possession of “items used in drug supply”.

Calito Hall has been imprisoned for 20 months for breaching an injunction – designed to disrupt the operations of the C17 gang in Thurrock – six times.

The 21-year-old, from Walthamstow, is banned from making entering parts of Thurrock, making drill music video, wearing hoodies or face coverings and associating with other C17 members.

Gang members must give Essex Police all details of their social media profiles and are banned from congregating in a public place in groups of two or more.

Despite the order, Hall was caught wearing a hooded top, being in possession of mobile phones which weren’t registered under the injunction, and being in possession of items used in drug supply.

At a hearing at Chelmsford County Court on Friday, October 2, Hall, of Lewis Avenue, was sentenced to 20-weeks in prison.

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “The gang first came to the attention of the Operation Raptor team in May 2017 as they became heavily involved in drug dealing and violence.

“The gang had been plaguing the town centre, town park and beach areas of Grays as well as Lakeside, dealing drugs in those areas and committing crime and disorder.

“Evidence gathered by police, included detail of how the gang have preyed on young children in the community, enticing them into the gang and then exploiting them by getting them to run drugs, carry cash from deals or knives.

“The younger members are also used to act as 'spotters' or 'distracters to look out for police whilst others are carrying out deals.

“The C17 are also known to target vulnerable drug users, using violence and intimidation to take over their homes for use as a drug dealing base (a practice known as ‘cuckooing’).

“Violence around the gang is mainly borne out of rivalry with other gangs and drug lines. The violence and rivalry has played out in numerous so-called ‘drill’ music videos filmed by members of C17 which feature weapons and provocative language and gestures.”

If you spot the C17 gang in areas of Thurrock which they are banned from or breaching any of the specified terms of the order, call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

For more breaking news, local headlines and features, ‘like’ our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter account: @ELondonGuardian

Follow us to keep up-to-date with news in Waltham Forest and Redbridge.