Crime Reduction - Helping to Reduce Crime in Your Area

Title: Youth Shelters and Sports Systems, A Good Practice Guide
Author: Roger Hampshire & Mark Wilson, Thames Valley Police
Number of pages: 27
Date published: March 2002

Research by the Home Office shows that the average age of offending starts at 13.5 years for boys and 14 years for girls, whilst the peak age of offending is 15 years. If young people don’t have a place of their own to go to, it may increase the risk of minor damage that can take place when they meet in unsuitable places. This can lead to a spiral of anti-social behaviour and the start of a criminal record. Young people need to socialise and become integrated into their communities. If this process is not facilitated, problems may be stored up for the future. In cases where young people have been asked, their requirements are often surprisingly modest - just somewhere dry where they can meet their friends.

This is the second edition of the Good Practice Guide on youth shelters issued by Thames Valley Police. It introduces a solution to the common problem of youths having nowhere to meet and socialise with their friends. Youth shelters can provide an acceptable place for youths and local residents.

Research demonstrates the benefits of providing local facilities for this vulnerable age group. The involvement of youths throughout these projects has been shown to pay dividends and helps to prove that negotiation between parties is one of the most positive ways of helping to solve problems.

The Guide provides advice and guidance for police forces, local authorities and partnerships on how to solve the problem of young people 'hanging out'.

The report covers such issues as:

• What is a youth shelter?

• Possible benefits (for youths and for communities)

• Consultation

• Lighting

• Case Studies

• Checklists

• Common questions

Download “Youth Shelter & Sports Systems” PDF 435Kb, from the Thames Valley Police website.