12 Jan 2015

Using sport to tackle youth crime

Using sport to tackle youth crime news article image

In this blog, Jo Swarbrick, our policy adviser, looks at the cost of youth crime and anti-social behaviour on the economy and how sport and recreation can help tackle this problem.

The wide range of advantages of taking part in sport and recreation are well documented. From physical and mental health, to better attainment at school, and benefits to the economy, we all know that getting active has a great number of positives for individuals and society as a whole.

This is especially true of crime and antisocial behaviour. Every year young offenders cost the economy around £11 billion, while 75% of 10 to 17 year olds who complete a custodial sentence are reconvicted within one year of release. The cost of this problem, both economically and to communities, is such that the sport and recreation sector must champion the important work that we do in this area.

Diverting just one in ten people away from crime would save over £113 million a year, and for every pound invested in crime prevention £7 is saved.

Sport and recreation programmes can prevent boredom, teach important life skills, divert young people from crime, and foster social inclusion. In a recent survey, 7 out of 10 teenagers believed that antisocial behaviour occurs because young people are bored. Properly organised, targeted and engaging activities are an effective way of stopping people, especially young people, falling into crime.

To this end, we at the Alliance want to hear from you and understand more the work you are already doing in this area. Whether you have a national scheme that runs throughout the year, or you run individual sessions in the community centre, we want to hear about your experiences of how sport and recreation can help prevent crime, save money, and bring communities together.

If you have any case studies to contribute on the positive impact sport and recreation has had on young people and crime prevention, please click here.

Read more from Jo

Latest News

10 Jul 2025

New Alliance Protect Where We Play campaign launches to highlight risks to playing fields, pitches and sports facilities from proposed planning reforms

New research shows playing fields and pitches deliver at least £2bn in improved wellbeing every year and help keep almost 4 million people active, including 1 million children.

Read more Arrow Right
4 Jul 2025

Policy and Advocacy Update: NHS 10 Year Plan and more

Below we provide an update on a number of our current policy-related workstreams, from the announcement of the NHS 10 Year Plan, to a number of additional issues - including planning reforms, the EHRC consultation on gender, Select and APPG inquiries into Healthy Ageing, and Access to Nature.

Read more Arrow Right
20 Jun 2025

Alliance responds as more details announced from Government following its Spending Review

The Sport and Recreation Alliance welcomes Government’s commitment to investing in community sport, recreation and physical activity, and its recognition of the social and economic value it provides.

Read more Arrow Right

Become a member

Joining the Sport and Recreation Alliance is pretty simple, but worthwhile!

Register now

Our Partners

Admincontrol logoAir IT logoGateley Legal logoSport:80 logoZellar logo93FT logo