Crime could be cut simply by providing young people with things to do according to a city-wide consultation among young people.
| Not all young people are criminals and troublemakers, but lots of adults treat them as if they are. |
The consultation was carried out by Newcastle City Council as part of its commitment to developing a crime and disorder strategy for the city and asked young people and adults what they think of crime, how it affects them and how they think it can prevented.
It found that young people were most concerned about burglary, drugs, racism, car crime, vandalism and shoplifting.
Most of their suggestions to combat crime focused on tightening security in the home, cars and shops. However, when it came to matters of anti-social behaviour such as vandalism and youth disorder, young people came up with a different agenda.
Among the suggestions to combat vandalism were proposals such as setting up campaigns to challenge it and the putting up of white boards in public places to stop graffiti.
Young people had plenty of suggestions as to how youth disorder might be tackled, mainly centred on the provision of more facilities.
Among their proposals were more youth clubs, drop-ins, youth cafes, regular discos, organised trips away and parks.
One group who were consulted during the crime survey said: "There is nothing for young people to do. Boredom is a big problem."
Another group said: "Young people don't want to be seen as troublemakers. They want to get on with adults. Not all young people are criminals and troublemakers, but lots of adults treat them as if they are".
Most young people said that if there were more things to do on estates for them, then they wouldn't get into trouble with the police and crime rates would drop.
About the team
Story by Editor Amy Wood, 16, reporters Andrea Dixon, 13 and Samantha Newby, 11. This story appeared in the North West Post in Newcastle upon Tyne.
