CYP Now - Letters: Play is not about crime

I am afraid I cannot let Anne Longfield's piece "What we gain when children can play outside" (Children Now, 8 December 2004-4 January 2005) go without a challenge. Let's hope that when the Government finally gets round to adopting a play policy for England, it does not include the words "tackling crime".

Play is a developmental imperative for all children and has nothing to do with crime. This is an adult agenda that may receive a windfall benefit from increased play provision.

Crime prevention is an important agenda, but it is somebody else's. I have yet to see a crime prevention policy that refers to the importance of play. So when we're talking about the importance of children's play let's not make the mistake of including other agendas.

Mike Greenaway, director, Play Wales

We welcome your views. Please write, including address and phone number, to: The editor, Children Now, 174 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP, or email cn.editorial@haynet.com. We reserve the right to edit letters for publication.

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