Children Are Too Scared to Report Crimes |TODAY|

Submitted by dan. on 2007-06-01 21:45.
Community Action | Crime Prevention | Law Enforcement

“Young people are not just scared of bullies or gangs but of the criminal justice system and the police. Some don't feel they need to report crimes as they have a good relationship with parents or teachers but they need to be more aware of the support that is available. It is important that young people have services tailored to their needs and not just help that replicates the help that is available to adults.”

Hundreds of young people in Norfolk are failing to report crimes because they are scared of the consequences, a conference heard yesterday.

The event organised by Victim Support Norfolk and held at Norwich's John Innes Centre brought together more than 100 people from the police, children's charities and other support groups. It heard how more needs to be done to encourage young people to report crimes.

Brian Butcher, chief executive of Victim Support, said that contrary to popular belief, young people are more likely to fall victim to crime than any other age group. About half of 11-16-year-olds have experienced crime but only about 13pc of these offences are reported to police.

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