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Children should be consulted about the Antisocial Behaviour Bill before it becomes law, a group of young people warned the minister for children, young people and families, writes Clare Jerrom.

Speaking at a Labour Party conference fringe meeting organised by the Children’s Society, children, including some from the charity’s project ‘The Junction’,  said that young people should be consulted on the government’s plans to tackle antisocial behaviour as many of the plans are aimed at children.

Chris Wear, the Bournemouth member of the UK Youth Parliament, told Margaret Hodge: “Children feel safer when they can meet in groups of friends.

“We are concerned that the government is making important decisions about our lives which could restrict our freedoms without consulting with young people,” he added.

However, Hodge defended the government’s plans using her own experiences as a parent and grandparent. She said: “The most difficult thing I found with my children was setting the boundaries. Although my children broke those boundaries they really were important to both of us.

“I believe society also has to set the boundaries as we are in the bill,” Hodge added.

The Children’s Society is part of a 13-strong charity coalition campaigning to prevent parts of the bill from becoming law as the group fear the freedoms of children will be significantly restricted.