Introduction
In July of 2019, the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan announced a £1m investment into sports projects around the most impoverished areas of the city, with the particular purpose of targeting youth crime and supporting those at risk of it (Mayor of London, 2019). Youth crime is a serious issue in a megapolis such as London, particularly in wards with high levels of crime rates. With this announcement, and the creation of the mayor’s Steering Group to address the issue in the urban center, the role of sport in combatting the youth crime epidemic was thrown into the spotlight. There is general consensus and anecdotal evidence suggesting that sport-based interventions, particularly those that are competently designed around the needs and wants of young people, are effective. This paper will explore the connection between youth crime and athletics, and then seek to develop the ‘Street Games’ athletic intervention based on themes promoted by the Sport England strategy and theories of change in improving communities.
Background
Youth crime in the context of this paper will be defined as egregious violations of the law and violence against the person acts by people aged 10 to 24 years. Youth crime is a serious social issue in London, affecting in particular the poorest areas of the city. Between 2012 and 2017, the number of under 25-year-olds has doubled to 64 annually. The number of stabbing fatalities has been going up year over year since 2014 to approximately 81 fatalities in 2018. Deaths linked to criminal gangs is steadily increasing reaching 44 in 2018 (BBC News, 2019). Last few years have also shown other crimes becoming an issue such as drug offences and robbery, accounting for more than 41% of charged offences while violence against the person is only at 20% (Clarke, 2021). Urban youth crime in London has been associated with poverty, with Richmond upon Thames having the lowest levels of crime while being affluent, while Tower Hamlets maintains one of the highest rates as on of the poorest boroughs in all of England (Bentham, 2019).
While no association has been found between youth crime and gender or ethnicity, there are risk factors that are positively associated with youth and gang violence. These include personal factors such as adverse childhood and troublesome mental health, as well as community and societal risk factors such as discrimination and economic inequality (Haylock et al., 2020). Another study points out while the relationship between race and crime in the UK over the last decades is exaggerated, there is evidence of over-representation of African-Caribbean and Mixed Heritage, who identify as Black, in the gang crime in London (Pitts, 2020). In the development of interventions and solutions, this factor may be important to consider from a cultural perspective.
Connection Between Athletics and Youth Delinquency
Participation in sports activities is highly popular and frequently encouraged among youth, with various psychosocial health benefits attributed to this. With adolescence, youth become more autonomous, with influence shifting from the home environment to that of peer and leisure setting. At this point in time, there are ongoing changes in behavior, leading to peaks of delinquent behavior. Therefore, scholarly research focuses on the relationship between sports participation and juvenile delinquency, particularly during the period of adolescence. Various theories support the ideology that sports participation can lead to lesser juvenile delinquency. For example, Hirschi’s social bond theory suggests that individuals with bonds to society are less likely to engage in criminal behavior. As part of the theory, also support by other scholars, there are four elements where sports participation has a positive impact. These include attachment (team), commitment (to sports and avoiding activities that may jeopardize it), involvement (no time for delinquency), and beliefs (in social values within context of the sport) (Spruit et al., 2016).
Sport-based interventions for prevention of delinquent behaviors in at-risk youth have been utilized by local and governments and institutions around the world. The interventions do not assume that the sports participation itself prevents delinquency, but rather it provides opportunities for learning, social bonds, and value-building in the context of athletics which then can contribute to positive behavior and a decrease in delinquent behavior. For example, scholars have presented that when youth participate in sports, they are learning to obey rules and authority, attaining values such as morality, self-control, conflict resolution, and cooperation (Spruit et al., 2017). There is a popular belief that “sport builds character” and that is supported by the positive traits, skills, and virtues. Athletes learn judgment of what is right and wrong based on rules of the sport. There is also commitment to internal goals and standards, as well as the lesson of competing honestly and fairly (Spruit et al., 2016). Sports programs have been successful in improving social outcomes for youth and the community. Participation in sports programs decreases risks factors for youth crime while increasing protective factors for positive development as seen in the graphic below (Eugene Civic Alliance, 2018).
In conclusion, there are mixed findings on whether sport activities have a concrete impact on reducing youth crime and delinquency. However, even if does not fully do so, interventions aimed at engaging at-risk youth has some benefits. First, it provides some element of engagement and competition, keeping the youth off the streets for at least part of the time with ongoing practices and competition. Furthermore, character building along with positive role models in the forms of coaches and professional athletes supporting such initiatives can potentially positively influence, even if a minor percentage of the youth. In either case, such social interventions are universally supported by public and experts as better alternatives than incarceration in reforming troubled youth.
Proposed Intervention
The proposed intervention is named Street Games, an appealing marketable title which encompasses the spirit of athletics but reflects the nature of their location. Street Games is proposed to be an extensive league of competition between various boroughs of London in different types of sports and athletics (both individual and team-based). Based on a league-type format, each London area (the city will be split into 4 or 5 areas) will have several teams overseen by a coach. These teams compete against each other bi-weekly. The best teams then go to a city-wide competition held by-annually (one indoors in winter, and one outdoors in summer) sponsored by the city and commercial sponsors. Both participants and winners receive different variations of prizes based on their success.
Street Games will focus on the most popular sports and athletics among London youth, but also ones that are easily adaptable and can be practiced in neighborhoods that may lack the infrastructure. These may include basketball (streetball), skateboarding, track, street variations of football, table tennis, stickball, dodgeball, street hockey, and even chess, among others for which there is demand. Teams will be recruited through schools, community centers, public advertising, and of course, word of mouth. Anyone can participate and bring others. Youth can participate in several sports if time allows. Each sport will have a volunteer or paid coach. However, to continue participation, youth will be encouraged through various means to maintain attendance both in school (if applicable), job (if applicable) and practice sessions as well.
Street Games will attempt to position itself as a ‘street-friendly’ and ‘cool’ athletic engagement promoting friendly competition. The aim to make it appealing and offer a wide variety of options for many sports and all skill levels. The premise is that youth seeing their friends participate and general approval from the community will wish to participate as well, especially with the opportunity to win prizes such as cash, iPhones, or brand name sneakers among others that are actually attractive to the age group. Furthermore, those with athletic talent and that achieve some success can also earn the recognition of their peers, filling a fundamental need for fitting in that would have otherwise been filled by crime. The appeal of Street Games is that can also bring youth and communities together. Even those who do not participate or are on lower-tier teams, can still cheer on and attend for free the local and citywide competitions. Therefore, for example, boroughs can compete with each other in a sport-related environment rather than engaging in gang-related turf violence.
Overall, Street Games are meant to be a version of mini-Olympics. Ever since the Olympic Games in London of 2012 there has been increased exposure of London youth to athletics and the meaning of professional competition. The intervention is highly beneficial as it covers many elements of the Sport England strategy discussed below as well as contributing to engagement, community building, and promoting healthy and legal lifestyles. Due to its format, it can be used to promote various other programs and values, ranging from coach interactions with athletes to parental involvement to offering opportunities in both athletics and education for this youth. Through these various avenues, the potential for youth involvement increases while theoretically, youth delinquency should decrease.
Sport England Strategy Themes
The Street Games intervention touches on all themes of the Sport England Strategy, but relates particularly well to two pillars: connecting communities and positive experiences for children and youth.
According to the Sport England Strategy, sports are vital to “develop confidence and self-worth, and help create more resilient, inclusive, and connected neighborhoods. The organization notes that athletics can contribute to the local economy, providing jobs, aid in integration of social groups, address antisocial behaviors, and respond to common threats such as climate change. Sports allow to create a network of trusted sports clubs and community organizations which improve lives and strengthen communities (Sport England, 2021). Meanwhile, for positive experiences, the organization argues that such at an early age can build foundations for an active, healthy life. It contributes to sense of confidence as well as mental and physical wellbeing, being highly profound for some children. Active positive lifestyles contribute to happiness, social trust, and resilience (Sport England, 2021).
The Street Games highly resonates with these pillars. First, for positive experiences, the program is aimed at providing access and opportunities for youth to participate in various athletics in safe, organized environments with their peers. It provides the responsibilities of physical and skill development during practice combined with the thrill and resilience of competition. It is a league that is both competitive but open to everyone. It prioritizes positive social experiences and the spirit of the sport. Youth are introduced to organized sports within contexts where it is safe, and they have the opportunity to engage in consistent athletic activities outside of home and school.
Meanwhile, community building is a critical aspect of Street Games as emphasized in the description. One of the major aims, is through the power of sport to bring people together as athletes, fans, supporters. If the scale of the intervention grows, it will have an economic impact in the community as jobs will be created with coaching, refereeing, and organizer positions as well the involvement of local sponsors with advertising and business revenue. Overall, through the competition, neighborhoods will be able to support their teams, empowering youth and presenting the unique identity and cultures of each borough. Street Games is an intervention inherently based on creating a network of community sport teams which target troubled youth, and through such helping communities to be more active and connected.
Theory of Change
The Theory of Change is a comprehensive description of how and why a desired change is expected to occur in a specific context. Below is a basic logic model outline for the Street Games intervention.
Expected Mechanisms of Change
The issue of youth crime in urban London is inherently complex, stemming from a range of economic, societal, political, and cultural issues. Therefore, a solution is not simple, and neither would an intervention, even one as comprehensive as Street Games, likely bring about massive change. However, if effective, even in a small minority of youth and communities, it can bring about meaningful reform. Street Games as an intervention relies on various mechanisms of change, some of which were already discussed, to implement change. Two major ones are increased social support and the community capacity building that are expected to be strengthened by youth participation in the league athletics. The created social bonds and the general support of the community in participating in an athletic program will result in psychosocial wellbeing, knowledge of protection systems, and resilience in the adolescent. Furthermore, general community attitudes may shift towards embracing and supporting youth instead of prosecuting and alienating them further. It will create a positive framework of engagement and interaction through the lens of sport. Street Games will also aim at providing youth with personal skills that serve as mechanisms of change to their behavior, such as stress management, emotional regulation, problem solving, and communication, among others. It may be able to fill the various psychosocial needs and controls necessary to avoid delinquent behavior.
Discussion
Sport is a powerful tool for peace and community building. As part of its efforts in the Doha Declaration, the UNODC has launched global initiatives for using sport as a means of youth crime prevention. Meanwhile, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the contribution of sport to building peace because it can promote tolerance and respect, while empowering both individuals and communities as a whole. Sport also serves as a critical gateway to other important societal aspects such as health, education, and social inclusion (UNODC, n.d.). Since youth are the primary participants in the proposed Street Games intervention, they also serve as inherent agents of change in their local communities. Not only are they able to acquire knowledge and life skills that potentially positively influences them and prevents anti-social behavior, but they demonstrate responsibility which can serve to raise awareness and promote civic values in others. The intention is that it has a domino effect, with youth inspiring one another, thus creating a cohesive and safe community that reduces delinquency at all levels.
Conclusion
Youth crime is a serious rising issue in London, with seemingly no effective solution. However, scholarly evidence points to some effectiveness of sports-based community programs in addressing youth delinquency, either at the personal or community levels. An intervention is proposed under the name Street Games which offers a league-based approach to various street-based athletics. It encompasses two pillars of the Sport England Strategy, which are positive experiences and community building. The approach is thought to be effective due to various mechanisms of change that it can influence the community. Overall, there are opportunities for Street Games to influence communities and reduce youth crime in London boroughs.
References
BBC News. (2018) ‘Poverty link’ to youth violence – London mayor.BBC News. Web.
Bentham, M. (2019) ‘Children and teenagers behind half of London knife crime, police figures reveal.’Evening Standard. Web.
Clarke, N. (2021) ‘London youth crime figures have fallen over the last five years.’SWLondoner. Web.
Eugene Civic Alliance. (2018) Preventing juvenile delinquency through sports. Web.
Haylock, S., Boshari, T., Alexander, E.C., Kumar, A., Manikam, L. and Pinder, R. (2020) ‘Risk factors associated with knife-crime in United Kingdom among young people aged 10–24 years: a systematic review.’BMC Public Health. Web.
Mayor of London. (2019) Mayor invests £1m in power of sport to tackle serious youth violence. Web.
Pitts, J. (2020) ‘Black young people and gang involvement in London.’ Youth Justice, 20(1-2), pp.146–158.
Sport England. (2021) Uniting the movement. Web.
Spruit, A., van Vugt, E., van der Put, C., van der Stouwe, T. and Stams, G.-J. (2015) ‘Sports participation and juvenile delinquency: a meta-analytic review.’ Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 45(4), pp.655–671. Web.
Spruit, A., van der Put, C., van Vugt, E. and Stams, G.J. (2017) ‘Predictors of intervention success in a sports-based program for adolescents at risk of juvenile delinquency.’International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 62(6), pp.1535–1555. Web.
UNODC. (n.d.) Crime prevention through sports. Web.