March 30, 2001 14:47: Girl Power is usually associated with qualities such as assertiveness, positivity, and freedom. But the Spice Girl war cry is becomng tainted by a new wave of aggressive teenagers across south east London. CHRIS STEEL investigates the rise in girl crime.

JANE was travelling home one night on the train when her world was turned upside down for a terrifying half hour.

She had been minding her own business when she was approached by three girls aged about 15.

The most vocal of the trio launched a barrage of abuse at her accusing her of being a "stuck-up bitch" and "whore".

For Jane it was an experience she would rather forget, but for hundreds of people, the threat of being attacked by teenage girls is becoming a daily reality.

Police and children's welfare groups across south east London and Kent are becoming concerned by the increasingly brutal attacks by girls on other girls and women.

Bromley Police have received 65 allegations of violent attacks by 14-15-year-old girls in the past year. A spokesman said it is common for mobile phones and jewellery to be taken in the incidents, which they believe are part of a nationwide problem.

Gaby Shenton, assistant director for children's charity Kidscape, believes the problem represents a worrying trend amongst the nation's young women.

"It's not just the number of incidents in south east London we are hearing about on the helplines that concerns us, it's also the level of violence: girls being pushed in front of cars by other girls. Girls stripping others of their clothes, attacks by girls with knives, blades, even a firearm.

"It used to be things like hair-pulling, now it's as likely to be setting hair on fire," she said.

Kidscape say there has been a 50 per cent rise in calls from distressed girls in the past year.

British Transport Police spokesman Simon Lubin said: "There is a particular problem across south east London with robberies both on the streets and on trains. It is not uncommon for young women to be involved in this type of crime as well as other assaults.

"Indeed, although we do not keep crime statistics broken down in this way, it would be fair to say this seems to be an increasing trend, perhaps reflecting the youth culture they are part of."

Social frustration and confusion over identity are suggested roots of the problem, according to Mrs Shenton.

She added: "What if you can't get what you really, really want?

"These girls are being taught to be more assertive, they get the girl-power message, but it can be confusing for them.

"You don't always get what you want, and they lack the skills to cope with that.

" Their frustration can spill over into anger."

London-based psychologist Dr Michelle Elliott said 21st century girls are keen to imitate their male peers.

"Girls now feel is cool to be aggressive like the lads. These are usually girls who have no relationships or success at school.

"There is a great deal of resentment of successful women. The girls who are involved in the bullying and attacks tend to have a self- image that is governed by how nasty they can be."

During the past 10 years, the number of women sentenced for violent crimes has more than doubled, from 180 to 460 quadrupling since the 1970s.

Psychologists predict, from the current trend, the number of girls committing acts of violence will outnumber boys in eight years time.

One London prison has started giving anger-management sessions to young female inmates in an attempt to curb their capacity for violence.

l Kidscape runs a helpline, manned from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday, for children, parents and concerned adults worried about bullying: 020-7730 3300.