THE “no ball games” mindset in city estates pushes young people into crime and antisocial behaviour, the Prince’s Trust warns local auhorities today.

Bans on playing games on the few patches of grass available mean that the young have few legitimate outlets for their energy. Without opportunities to take part in activities that will help them to develop skills and confidence, the Trust says that they cease to feel part of society.

In a report, No Ball Games?, published today, the Prince’s Trust urges local authorities, private enterprise and the Government to increase the number of facilities available to the young. It argues that social exclusion can be combated by “diversionary activities”, primarily sports, outdoor adventure activities and community projects.

Ball games are banned in many areas because the shouting of children and the thump of balls on walls and windows can make life miserable for other residents.

Leslie Morphy, head of policy at the Prince’s Trust, sympathised with the reasons for banning ball games, but said that too many authorities failed to take account of where else children could play.

While landowners, public and private, can be quick to put up “no ball games” signs, she said, too few provide suitable alternative facilities.

Many centres, the Trust believes, could be made available without great expense because there are plenty of sports complexes owned by businesses for the use of staff, that could open their doors to the young.

A survey conducted on behalf of the organisation shows that an overwhelming number of people, more than 90 per cent, believe that too few facilities are available to the young. Simultaneously, more than half the adults polled believed that playing games is an ideal means of keeping the young out of trouble while helping them to grow in confidence and skill through benefits such as team-building and motivation.

Ms Morphy said: “A large number of people are saying there aren’t enough facilities. They refer to their own experience when they were young, when it was possible to play ball games in the street. There’s a strong feeling the opportunities that were open to them are not here now.”

She said that more than a million young people are neither employed nor improving their prospects through education and training.

By providing such socially excluded people with organised activities, especially sports, they can be enticed out of despondency and encouraged to have and pursue ambitions.

“Sport has a special ability to inspire and motivate young people from different backgrounds, create strong social networks and increase community cohesion. It also helps us to tackle isolation and boredom,” she said.

Richard Caborn, the Minister for Sport, backed the Trust’s campaign and said: “Sport can benefit young people in so many ways — by getting them fit and healthy, teaching them important lessons in life, like teamwork and leadership, or keeping them away out of trouble.

“It is great to see the Prince’s Trust using sport to make a difference to the lives of young eople.”

The Trust has set up more than 240 community projects this summer. It has established links with 62 Premier and Football League clubs, the England and Wales Cricket Board and Zurich Premiership rugby clubs to help young people.

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