Tired of Hanging Around?

A national study has been published highlighting the role of sport and leisure activities in preventing anti-social behaviour in young people aged 8-19.

The study, entitled ‘Tired of Hanging Around', covers various areas that need to be addressed in order to combat the problem, such as funding, government involvement, both locally and nationally, and education.

According to the report, conducted by the Audit Commission, 22% of young people admit to engaging in anti-social behaviour. It also says that 39% of all anti-social behaviour orders are young people and that over 70% of media coverage of young people is negative.

This clearly shows that action is needed to curb the situation, and this report suggests that sport and leisure activities are the way forward. However, it also suggests that measures need to be taken in order for change to take place.

Funding is one area that is emphasised, in that, according to Chairman of the Audit Commission Michael O'Higgins, it is "wasteful, inefficient and bureaucratic". The report states that although over half of funding comes from central government, it is often spent ineffectively as there is little local co-ordination and money is wasted.

It also says that a lot of funding arrangements only last as little as three years, therefore limiting the effectiveness and sustainability of the projects.

Projects can also apply for grants but the report suggests that the actual cost of applying can sometimes exceed the grant itself.

Central Government is also held to account in the study, stating that it should support more long-term programmes rather than short term ones, and should communicate better with local authorities on how best to secure funding and how to spend it.

Mr O'Higgins added: "Young people deserve our respect as well as our support - councils must really listen to them if they want to provide activities that will give them something more productive to do than hanging around on street corners."

There are also several case studies featured in the report from projects all over the country such as Burnley and Plymouth, where good practice has been upheld and projects are already making a difference.

The study also recognises the work of local agencies' work with families and young children, and the role of schools in helping to address or prevent the issue of anti-social behaviour.

On the 10^th September the Audit Commission are holding their annual conference in Birmingham to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour.

For more information on the conference go to www.audit-commission.gov.uk and to download the ‘Tired of Hanging Around' study in full, or click here.