Teenage kicks

This report assesses the economic value of three sports projects aimed at tackling gang violence and youth crime in the UK. Each project is using sport to reach out to and engage young people at different stages along the criminal pathway. The results of the study clearly demonstrate that sport is not only a successful mechanism; it is also a cost-effective way to tackle the problem of youth crime and gang violence. Youth crime and anti-social behaviour cost the UK government 4 billion pounds every year, with one in five young people reporting being involved in crime and anti-social behaviour. Sport can be a powerful tool for tackling this problem, and can be more cost-effective than traditional approaches. Sport can get young people off the streets, out of trouble, engaged in education, and back on track. Everyone can benefit from playing sport, but it can make a particular difference to young people who are difficult to engage in other ways. For these reasons, sports-based projects can be highly successful in reducing youth crime. Anecdotally, we know about the positive impact sport has on young people. But in order to make a convincing case for investment, we need hard evidence.