News

A group of leading voluntary organisations has called for a more reasoned debate on youth crime in the media after a three month analysis of press coverage found reports repeatedly referring to children as ‘thugs’, ‘louts’ and ‘yobs’, writes Clare Jerrom.

The research by Shape, which is made up of leading organisations including Nacro, Barnardo’s and NCH, finds that the media sends a clear message that the youth justice system should be harder on children in trouble. Tougher sentences should be handed out and detention should be made harsher.

Newspaper articles suggest the youth justice system does not work, youth detention needs to become more accountable and there should be a shift in policy to tackle the causes of youth crime.

Over three months, the term ‘thug’ was used 36 times and ‘yob’ was used on 21 occasions, the report says. In some of the more sensational reports, young people were referred to as brutes, monsters, hooligans and scallies.

Shape believes the messages portrayed in the press are unhelpful and is calling for a more reasoned debate in the media about young people in trouble with the law.

“Strategies that divide communities, enable one section to ‘blame’ another section or group, or stigmatise individuals will only serve to further marginalise people,” the report says.

It calls for the public to be made more aware of the effectiveness of community penalties and the negative impact that custody has on young people.

For more information www.shapethedebate.org.uk