Editorial: Cut crime by providing positive activities

These misunderstandings are fed by the national media and filter through to public consciousness and, to some extent, government policymaking.

Young People Now reflects youth workers' desire to present a more realistic and balanced account of what life is really like for young people. This week we feature an initiative by a Home Office-backed (to be fair, not all government initiatives are anti-young people), sport-based diversionary activities scheme called Positive Futures, where photos were taken at the same time throughout the country to illustrate what the majority of young people really get up to (see p17).

Snapshot of Young Britain demonstrates that they are more likely to be engaged in sport, watching TV or hanging out peacefully with their friends than binge drinking or committing crime.