Children's Commissioner Peter Clarke: Teenagers ' not reporting crimes'

For 96% of London's youth aged 11 to 15, crime is simply a normal part of growing up according to figures published by the charity the Howard League.

Wales does seem to be slightly safer, according to separate figures from the Youth Justice Board, which advises the Home Office.

However, it still found that most Welsh youngsters - 58% according to its figures - were now victims of crime.

Experiences included theft, bullying and serious threats.

Commissioner concerned

Peter Clarke, the commissioner charged with safeguarding children's rights, said teenagers - often patronised and marginalised - are too scared of retribution and ridicule to tell the authorities.

"What worries me is young people are accepting crime will happen to them," he told BBC Radio Wales.

Welsh victims

30% had property stolen at school 27% threatened 14% bullied at school 17% had property damaged bullied outside school 9% attacked 5% had items stolen in public 6% had family car stolen 6% were burgled 4& had mobiles stolen Source: Youth Justice Board(MORI Youth Justice Survey 2001)Read report online now

"There are concerns reports will not be taken very seriously; children are often seen as trivial but that has got to change.

"If we had a similar figure for adults, the Home Secretary would be under some pressure now.

"We have to distinguish a bit of rough and tumble from very serious crimes.

"We have got to look long and hard at our systems for reporting crime."

Mr Clarke said he was meeting police chiefs from around Wales in an effort to have teenagers' reports taken more seriously.

'Assault overlooked'

While much of the crime against youngsters is low-level anti-social crime during the otherwise harmless school days, other unreported incidents are more serious.

Justin, a regular at a council-backed Cardiff teenager's hang-out, says he was assaulted by a man while playing football in a street.

London youngsters

96% have been victims of crime 66% have been hit or kicked 50% have been racially abused 50% have been victims of theft 24% 'touched' or 'flashed' at

He claimed police reject claims from many youngsters.

"The local officer told me there wasn't much point in reporting it because there was no-one else around to see it," he said.

"Young people are too scared to report it and don't feel the police can help them at all.

"From my experience, I can understand why if they are treated like it isn't as important as, say, an old woman getting attacked."

One solution, suggested by the young people questioned by the Howard League, might be to give children and teenagers more to do by providing better facilties like youth centres.