Youth Voices Project

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Most crimes reported by respondents were against the person in a public place and involved assault and /or robbery.
• In most cases the crimes were relatively minor and no serious injuries or loss occurred.
• Young people were mostly concerned about gangs in their local area, a term  which was used as a general description for groups of peers who cause trouble.
• Most of our respondents had not participated in crime or ASB but many had low level contact with the police and authority, especially when out in a group.
• Respondents generally felt safe in their local area.
• Young people recognised the value of youth facilities and services even if they were not regular users of them, but thought they should be better publicised.
• Young people saw supporting youth services and making the streets safer as their priorities for reducing crime and making their area a safer place.