Nearly half the teenagers in the Midlands think they are unfairly being given a bad image by the behaviour of a minority of hooligans, a survey reveals today.
Forty-nine-per cent of the 14 to 18-year-olds from the region questioned said they were angered by anti-social behaviour because they thought it gave all young people a bad name. More than half of them also said they thought teenagers were stereotyped by the clothes they wore.
Young people across the country were questioned for the poll, which was commissioned by the Home Office to try to find ways of tackling anti-social behaviour.
The survey also reveals that young people in the Midlands are embracing traditional values, with many insisting that young people should respect their elders and calling for improved manners.
Nearly three-quarters of the region's young people (72 per cent) said they thought it was important to contribute to their local community, with many saying they were already helping the community through doing odd jobs or running errands for friends, family or neighbours, or through involvement in their church or temple.
They also called for a reduction in crime, litter and graffiti and demanded a greater voice for young people in what goes on in their community.
Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said: "Young people in the Midlands and around the country are fed up with being tarnished by the anti-social actions of a minority.
"It is promising to learn that the majority of our youth agree with the importance of contributing to their local community.
"In fact, our young people have strong views for shaping their neighbourhoods in the future, and we need to encourage and support their involvement.
"That's what the Respect Action Plan is all about and why we have committed up to £100 million to implement the proposals of the Russell Commission to create up to a million new young volunteers."
Nathan Cadogan, from the B Active Millennium Volunteers Project at Birmingham Voluntary Sector Council, said: "I wanted to get involved because I've experienced a lot of things in my life, including getting involved in crime and going to prison.
"I wanted to find a way of using my experiences to inspire and benefit others in a positive way.
"The MV B-Active programme consists of ten people aged 16 to 22. We're all from varying backgrounds and get together on Monday evenings to discuss what projects we'd like to get involved in and are given info on volunteering taster days.
"Since joining B Active MV my personal experiences have helped other young people. I have been asked to mentor and deliver presentations to youth projects all over the West Midlands."
Nationally, 62 per cent of youngsters said they thought they were getting a bad reputation because of anti-social behaviour by other young people.
More than half the youngsters said they wanted teenagers to be praised for the good things they do and 60 per cent said they did not want to be tarred with the same brush. ..SUPL:
