Bullying fears over summer break

Seventy per cent of children said they were fearful in the holidays

The majority of teenagers left by their parents to fend for themselves over the holidays feel at risk of bullying, according to a charity.

Charity 4Children found that 70% of full-time working parents continue their jobs over the summer break.

The survey, which questioned 16,000 children aged 11-16, found the break is when many fear being a victim of crime, anti-social behaviour, and bullying.

Seventy-two per cent had witnessed anti-social behaviour in the past year.

In the past year 66% have been bullied, the survey found, many outside of school.

Fears

Because of what they have seen and with no access to teachers either, 70% said they were fearful for their safety during the summer holidays.

Craig Jones, from the 4Children charity said: "We have to realise that families have changed quite significantly in the last 30 years, we see more single parents, we see more one parent households.

We have got to wake up to this and listen to them and then start designing things for their needs Sir Al Aynsley-Green Children's Commissioner

"We also see the longest working hours for parents in the entire continent so we need to really have a much clearer idea of how young people spend their time in the summer holidays."

A children's cabinet put together by the charity met the Children's Commissioner to express their concerns.

Sir Al Aynsley-Green, the Children's Commissioner said: "Children and young people see holidays to be important there are huge opportunities for them to enjoy that.

"There are difficulties at present with that with access to services, places to go, things to do. We have got to wake up to this and listen to them and then start designing things for their needs."

The government says it is planning youth services in every community.