By not listening to children, we are putting them in danger

Frances Cook Howard League

"Only a third tell their parents - they feel adults do not listen to them."

Two thirds of the children said they had been hit or kicked by someone, and half of them said it had happened more than once.

Half had been victims of racists taunts while 50% had had something stolen from them in school.

A quarter said they had been sexually assaulted in some way, either touched or "flashed", and in the majority of cases by an adult.

Safe areas

Many of the youngsters told questioners that they were "living in fear".

Almost two thirds said they were afraid of being robbed in the street, 59% were scared of being physically assaulted and 50% were in fear of a racist attack.

The children, who were from eight London comprehensive schools, were asked how they thought crimes against them could be reduced.

They came up with a range of suggestions, including providing them with safe areas for them to "hang out" at out of school hours and counselling in schools for victims.

But the overwhelming request, Ms Cook said, was for the police to take their concerns seriously.

"They want to be treated with respect," she said.

"By not listening to children, we are putting them in danger."

Crime prevention

Of the youngsters who said they would not report a crime to the police, 48% said that was because the police would "not listen" or that the police would "not do anything about it".

The results of the survey are being distributed to youth offending teams and police community safety officers.

Ms Cook said: "We want councils and the police to take the needs of children into account when they are making decisions, particularly about crime prevention."

The Howard League runs a citizenship and crime programme for 13 and 14-year-olds aimed at giving them "skills to reject anti-social behaviour".