Geoff Thompson, the founder of the Youth Charter for Sport, Culture and the Arts, said that the children's commissioner, Sir Al Aynsley-Green, should lead an inquiry into why youth activities in the area have not been more successful.
"The young people say that none of it works for them," said Thompson.
" The area has youth centres, and yet there has been a failure to join it all up."
Last April, the Youth Charter produced its Manchester 12 report into how sport can be used to cut antisocial behaviour (YPN, 26 April-2 May, p3). So far, Thompson said he has not been able to attract funding to put its recommendations into practice.
The problem of gun crime in Moss Side was highlighted earlier this month by the shooting of 15-year-old Jessie James. Thompson said there have been more than 150 shootings and woundings in the area, and most of them involve young people.
He said he would write to the children's commissioner to suggest he conducts the inquiry.
