Crystal Palace supports efforts to boost youth

Crystal Palace Football Club is one of the sponsors of an upcoming event to help break negative perceptions of young people after last summer’s riots.

It is hosting Action for Impact at its stadium on February 2 to showcase the diverse range of activities and support available to young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

The day has been organised after a recent IARS poll found that nearly half of adults (44%) put the percentage of young people committing serious crime between 5% and 20%. A quarter of the 1,000 adults surveyed said they thought more than 50% of young people commit serious violence.

While large parts of the population believe young people are prone to violent behaviour, statistics from the Metropolitan Police Service show that only 0.07% of young people commit serious crime.

Business and Education London South (BELS) is one of the organisations helping to put together Action for Impact.

It says the summer riots did little to build confidence among local employers in hiring young people.

BELS chief executive Michael Manning Prior said: “Most of the young people we work with have disapproved of the riots.

“The aftermath of the riots has seen a general negativity towards young people and BELS want to counter this by highlighting the enthusiasm with which the young people of Croydon embrace the support services provided to help them.”

"Action for Impact" takes place on 02 February 2012 at 2.00pm in The Players’ Lounge at Crystal Palace Football Stadium. The event is open to all those interested in or working with young people aged 16-19 and each attendee is encouraged to bring along three young people to share in the activities, which include music, film, sport and art.

To register for the event, email info@bels.org.uk or telephone 0208 726 0700