Bounty

More parents are concerned about their children using drugs than carrying a gun or knife, research has revealed.

Drug use is the biggest worry for four in 10 parents - 10 times as many as those who said they are frightened their child might have a weapon (4.7%).

But the survey suggested that sports could help children avoid illegal or anti-social behaviour. Around 90.1% of parents said that team sports could help keep children on the right path. However 40% of 16-18-year-olds never take part in a team activity with 26.8% of youngsters avoiding sport.

The survey of more than 1,000 parents of children aged eight to 18 showed that 16.8% of parents were most concerned with their children drinking alcohol. Around 12% said they were worried about their child getting into a fight and just 6.9% were frightened they would join a gang.

The survey showed that parents think their children are more are more at risk of getting involved in illegal activity then when they were younger.

The survey was commissioned by the partners of StreetChance - which encourages young people in areas hit by youth crime or anti-social behaviour to play cricket - and supported by Barclays Spaces for Sports initiative.

Copyright Press Association 2010