Summit on anti-social 'challenge'

The summit will bring together people to focus on tackling bad behaviour

The church and police are to join forces in a bid to help curb anti-social behaviour across Wales.

Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan and South Wales Police Chief Constable Barbara Wilding will lead the summit at Llangoed Hall in Brecon, Powys.

The two-day conference will examine the root causes of anti-social behaviour.

The Children's Commissioner said he felt boredom was a factor and there were also questions of disadvantage and "lack of aspiration and hope".

"Transforming Behaviour - Transforming Communities" will also host presentations from people who work directly with young people.

The symposium was organised by the Church in Wales' bishops' adviser on church and society, the Reverend Robin Morrison.

He said transforming anti-social behaviour in young people was one of the main challenges facing Welsh society.

No one organisation working alone can solve it Rev Robin Morrison - Church in Wales

He pointed out numerous studies had shown that UK teenagers are more likely to fight, take drugs, have underage sex and binge drink than their European counterparts.

"As a church, we care about those involved, their families and communities and we are committed through our social projects to the long-term prevention of this type of social breakdown," said Rev Morrison.

"But no one organisation working alone can solve it.

"This symposium will bring together key people to focus on what can be done to tackle negative behaviours for the greater well-being of people in Wales.

"I think most of us know the general standard of behaviour is dropping - binge drinking, knives, gangs, anti-social behaviour and so on and that means we can no longer assume co-operation of young people with teachers, parents, the police and other agencies in the same way we used to take for granted."

Daniel, a teenager from Caerphilly on a surveillance and supervision programme, said he started getting into trouble at the age of 11 because he was bored.

"I wouldn't have got into trouble if there was more things to do. I don't get into trouble any more because I hardly ever go out.

"The only things where I come from is a park which is only suitable for ten year olds and stuff like that."

'Cultural shift'

Keith Towler, the Children's Commissioner for Wales said he thought boredom was a factor.

"There's a fundamental question which is about disadvantage, lack of aspiration and hope and how we're going to find ways to address that.

"If we're going to create a cultural shift around how we value children, what we think childhood should look like, what we want young people to aspire to, what opportunities we want to offer them, as they grow up, mature and develop then I think we do need something of a shift.

"We've got to do that with the full participation of children and young people who are at the heart of what we're trying to talk about," he added.