Government report calls for more positive activities for young people

Tags: governement iniatives | research reports | young people

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has released a report that says 80 per cent of people want to see more activities made available for young people.

The Youth Taskforce survey also shows that alcohol is a major cause of concern regarding antisocial behaviour, with 80 per cent of those questioned believing more should be done to confiscate alcohol and 90 per cent wanting it to be harder for youths to buy alcohol.

However, Ministers stressed that, although the report was encouraging there was still a lot of work that needed to be done to address the issues of antisocial behaviour. Two-thirds of those surveyed in the 69 priority areas believe that antisocial behaviour has stayed the same or got better, whilst a quarter think it has got worse.

Ministers were also encouraged by the report that residents in the most affected areas have seen an increase in police presence since the launch of the Youth Crime Action Plan.

Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls said: "Over the last two years, the Government has made good progress in tackling anti-social behaviour and youth crime in areas across the country. But we know that challenges remain. We are clear that there are firm boundaries and clear consequences for those who overstep them - but support for young people and their families who try to turn their lives around.

"It's good to see from today's Youth Taskforce Survey that most people in those areas where youth crime is particular problem feel we are tackling the causes of the issues that matter in their community. However it is also clear that there is still a lot of hard work to do to make sure no local residents are troubled by anti-social behaviour."

School's Minister Vernon Coaker said: "This survey shows that people recognise that we're taking the right action, such as providing more positive activities, family intervention projects and parenting classes, but there is more to do to make sure everyone can see a difference in their area."

For more information and a further breakdown of the figures, click here.