Roger Smith, director of human rights campaign group Justice, told Parliament's Home Affairs Select Committee: "It shocks me how much youth services have been wound down. It is no surprise young people say they are bored."
Other witnesses contributing to the committee's investigation of the Government's antisocial behaviour policy backed Smith's views. Richard Garside, director of the Crime and Society Foundation, said that some types of behaviour, such as hanging around in large groups, are motivated by boredom. He added: "But in some ways, what is wrong with hanging around?"
Roger Howard, chief executive of Crime Concern, also gave evidence to the committee. After the event he said: "I welcome the fact that it is looking at this in detail. It is a complex issue with complex responses."
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