Stop giving us bad press, says teen (From News Shopper)

Stop giving us bad press, says teen

6:11pm Monday 12th November 2007 in Bexley

AN AWARD-WINNING teenager has spoken out about the negative press young people in Bexley receive.

Alice Barrett, of Dunwich Road, Bexleyheath, is the current St John Ambulance National Cadet of the Year.

The 18-year-old was angry after reading a report in a London newspaper about the numbers of pupils expelled from school for persistent bad behaviour.

She has written to the paper because she believes regular reports about misbehaving youngsters will make people increasingly likely to view all young people as a cause of disruption and anti-social activity.

Miss Barrett said: "It is disappointing to see a focus on so much negativity about young people.

"There are so many high achievers in the borough who are brushed under the carpet, such as national gymnastic champions."

She pointed out many of the volunteers working for Bexley charities are young people.

And she said: "Why are the negative statistics the only ones published?"

Miss Barrett suggests schools could channel the energy of disruptive pupils into projects in the area.

St John Ambulance does this by listening to young people and working with them on activities.