Survey reveals what young people think about the riots

Date: 29th August 2011
Category: Equal protection from violence

Over 500 young people have taken part in a survey conducted by the Jack Petchey Foundation to find out what they think about the riots that affected cities across the UK three weeks ago.

Almost half (45 per cent) of informants felt the media's coverage of young people was unfair. One commented "The media are only interested in showing and talking about negativity against the youth". Another said "I saw a headline which said 'teenagers rob local shop'. It's stupid because you wouldn't say 'adults rob local shop'!", "It was not just youth who were involved in rioting and looting, but parents and adults as well. Unfortunately 95 per cent of news reports failed to label the other age groups involved".