Teenagers tell Boris to fund more clubs

LONDON teenagers have urged Boris Johnson to fund more youth clubs to help them avoid getting into trouble through boredom.

Almost 250 who responded to the Mayor's youth crime plan said parenting support should be on offer from birth, with an emphasis on those making the secondary school transition.

Other suggestions included longer prison sentences for teenagers who committed violent crimes and better communication between schools and parents.

They also called for more positive representation of young people in the media, arguing that extensive coverage could glamorise knife crime.

The Mayor's ambassador for young people, James Cleverly, is today attending a summit organised by London Youth, which manages 400 youth clubs.

He said: "There's no one better than young people themselves to advise on tackling youth crime and it is brilliant that so many youngsters have got involved and given us their views.

"One of the key points is the need for more evening and weekend activities. Our action plan will deliver greater opportunities, so there are no excuses to fall into youth crime, and ample support for anyone who wants to change their lives for the better."