Young homeless underestimated by Britons, says survey

The level of young homelessness in the UK is underestimated by over two-thirds (68%) of Britons, a survey suggests.

The research among 2,000 adults by the Consortium for Street Children (CSC) found that most people (61%) associated street children with Africa and Asia.

Fewer than one in 10 of those asked said they would feel compelled to help children sleeping rough.

CSC chief executive Sally Shire called on society to recognise that “being a street child is not a crime”.

‘Birth registration’

The survey found that four out of five people asked were not aware that an estimated 100,000 children become runaways in the UK every year

More than one in five (21%) would worry about crime if they saw young people sleeping rough.

Of those surveyed, 13% thought the issue of street children was a problem in western Europe.

The CSC is urging governments around the world to stand up for the rights of young homeless people.

Ms Shire said: “Across the globe there are large numbers of children surviving on the streets.

“Whether they are a runaway from Derby or a street child in Delhi the factors that drive children to the streets are similar.

“Being a street child is not a crime. We want governments and society to recognise this.”

She added: “These children have the same rights as every other child. A recent United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights study into street children made a number of recommendations for how street children’s rights can be strengthened.

“This includes universal birth registration for all, and that rather than treat street children as criminals authorities should understand the reasons for street children’s behaviour and provide support.”

Lack of funding

The survey, conducted by OnePoll, was commissioned by the CSC to coincide with the