Fear of 'yob culture' rising
More than half of Britons want under-16s banned from the streets after dark unless they are supervised, according to a new poll.
People are more frightened on the streets than they were a decade ago despite a record number of police on patrol.
The survey was carried out in the wake of the murder of father-of-three Garry Newlove, 47, who was attacked after challenging a gang of yobs outside his Warrington home.
In a week in which one of Britain's top police officers criticised parents for not taking more responsibility for their children's behaviour, 65 per cent of those polled said under-16s should not be allowed out unsupervised after dark.
The survey found that 62 per cent believed parents shouldered the majority of the blame for anti-social youngsters - and 89 per cent thought they should be held responsible for how they behaved.
Cheshire Chief Constable Peter Fahy said parents who refuse to take responsibility for their children's underage drinking should be forced into accepting police offers of support.
He also called on the legal age for buying alcohol to be raised from 18 to 21.
But only 5 per cent of those quizzed believed the easy availability of cheap alcohol was to blame for yobbish behaviour.
Fear of street corner gangs, hoodies and muggers led 42 per cent of those questioned to say they would rather not go out at night. Among women that figure rose to almost 50 per cent.
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