Madrid - Spanish police have cracked down on what was regarded as the most violent Latin American street gang in the Madrid region, press reports said Thursday.

Police detained about 40 suspected members of Dominican Don't Play (DDP), which includes mainly young immigrants from the Dominican Republic.

The detainees, who were between 16 and 22 years old, included several suspected "kings" or leaders of the group.

The charges against them include robbery, threats, attacks leading to injuries, and illegal possession of firearms.

DDP is believed to have more than 100 active members.

Police earlier clamped down on Latin Kings, most of whose members are Ecuadorians, and Los Netas, which includes Ecuadorians and Colombians.

Latin street gangs have about 1,000 members in the Madrid region, according to police sources quoted by the daily El Pais. (dpa)