Alarming figures highlight fear of crime by teenagers

Children as young as 10 in Kent are worried about becoming victims of crime, according to a new study.

The annual Good Childhood Report says girls mostly fear being followed by a stranger, while boys are afraid of being assaulted.

Its research estimates 54,600 young people aged between 10 and 17 in Kent are worried about being the victims of at least two or more crimes, which is damaging their wellbeing.

The report, published by the Children’s Society, also calculates 76,000 youngsters have experienced at least three serious problems in the last five years, and 25,700 have had to contend with seven or more.

Another 52,200 are said to have worries connected to parents struggling to pay the bills.

The “serious problems” can include being victims of emotional neglect, living with a parent who has problematic alcohol use, mental health issues, been a victim of domestic violence, or having a long-standing illness, or living where someone in the household has been to prison.

Other hardships could be the family being forced to move house, being made homeless or being at risk of homelessness, having to share a room or a bed due to overcrowding, problems in the neighbourhood concerning anti-social behaviour, and being a young carer themselves.

The London-based society, which has a presence in Canterbury, Ramsgate, and Deal, is calling for the government to address what it says is a funding shortfall in children’s services that is estimated to reach £2 billion by 2020. It also called for councils, police forces, schools and other agencies to work together to improve the wellbe- ing of children in their area.

Matthew Reed, the society’s chief executive, described the figures as “alarming”.

“Teenagers are coming under pressure in all areas of their lives, whether it’s being afraid to walk down their street, worrying about money, or having a parent who’s seriously unwell, and this is damaging their wellbeing,” he said.

“Sadly we know many of these teenagers will only get help if they reach crisis point – such as running away from home, or abusing alcohol or drugs.

“With a £2 billion funding gap for children’s services looming, children are increasingly finding themselves with nowhere to turn, putting them at greater risk.”

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