A FAR reaching survey of Aireborough's young people has revealed many live in fear of crime - both from adults and from older peers.

The six-week study also revealed more than 70 per cent own a mobile telephone.

They believed Aireborough lacked good sport and leisure facilities and would like to see a revision centre for those about to take exams.

The young people, who were either interviewed or who filled in questionnaires, also thought adults often had a jaundiced view of them.

Carried out by media student Michael Romagnoli, the study looked at the views, wishes and concerns of young people in a bid to help Aireborough Community Involvement Team (CIT) understand and provide for the youth of Guiseley, Yeadon, Rawdon and Hawksworth.

Mr Romagnoli, 21, a second year media management student at Horsforth's Trinity and All Saints College, presented his findings in an Aireborough Youth Provision Report to the CIT last week.

According to his survey, young people in Aireborough feel education is the most important issue to them, closely followed by health, and sports facilities. Many said they would like new facilities, ranging from skate parks to a revision centre for those about to sit exams.

But the survey also involved getting to grips with tougher issues, including the availability of contraceptives for young people, and the problems of drugs and crime.

While the fear of youth crime is an issue which is often brought up by adults, it appears young people are also in fear of adult criminals and younger teenagers feared intimidation by older youths.

Mr Romagnoli said: "I thought it brought out a lot of interesting results. It painted quite an interesting picture of young people."

Members of Aireborough Youth Forum advised him on designing a bright youth-friendly questionnaire which was then completed by 80 teenagers in the area.

He discussed crime issues with a neighbourhood watch police liaison officer, went on several tours of Guiseley, Yeadon and Rawdon, and conducted detailed research into commercial services in the area, and the costs involved for young people.

The survey showed that for many young people, a regular trip to the cinema was too costly.

The survey revealed that teenagers knew drugs were readily available in Aireborough, but found that drugs education in schools was repetitive, and focused mostly on videos and worksheets.

Mr Romagnoli's discussions with Aireborough Youth Forum revealed that access to contraception is important to teenagers, who said they likely to experiment.

It was suggested that there should be a place other than the local family planning clinic where young people can pick up free contraceptives, but others said school would not be the right place.

Discrimination and poor attitudes of adults towards young people was a concern which was brought up by the youth forum, and in the survey.

Youngsters complained of shopkeepers, police officers and other adults assuming all young people are 'up to no good' - and said only a small minority of young people were giving them a bad name.

More surprising finds were calls for better healthcare for older people in Aireborough improvements to hospitals, and the revelation that young people are fear for their safety because of violent adults on the street.

Aireborough CIT chairman Councillor Mike Dunn agreed to send a letter thanking Mr Romagnoli for carrying out the study.

The CIT will use the findings of the study to help provide services and facilities for young people in the area.