More than a third of young people who responded to an online survey are worried about gang violence in their area.
Around 800 young people from across the UK contributed to children's charity NCH's six-month consultation on gun and knife crime.
Of those, 36 per cent were concerned about gangs, and 29 per cent said they had been affected by gun and knife crime.
The survey also showed that image, fear and peer pressure are the main reasons why young people get involved in gangs. 63 per cent said that they believe image is directly linked to gun and knife crime.
The results of the survey have been published in the report Step Inside Our Shoes, part of NCH's Growing Strong campaign.
The charity is now calling for children under the age of 16 to be included in the British Crime Survey so the scale of the problem can be uncovered.
It also wants to see more youth provision, designed with help from young people, and funding for projects that work with vulnerable groups.
Chief executive Clare Tickell said: "Instead of demonising youth, we need to engage and challenge them, leaving children and young people with the emotional wellbeing and confidence to meet life's challenges."
Of those, 36 per cent were concerned about gangs, and 29 per cent said they had been affected by gun and knife crime.
The survey also showed that image, fear and peer pressure are the main reasons why young people get involved in gangs. 63 per cent said that they believe image is directly linked to gun and knife crime.
The results of the survey have been published in the report Step Inside Our Shoes, part of NCH's Growing Strong campaign.
The charity is now calling for children under the age of 16 to be included in the British Crime Survey so the scale of the problem can be uncovered.
It also wants to see more youth provision, designed with help from young people, and funding for projects that work with vulnerable groups.
Chief executive Clare Tickell said: "Instead of demonising youth, we need to engage and challenge them, leaving children and young people with the emotional wellbeing and confidence to meet life's challenges."
