When we look at other ‘risk-taking behaviour’ among young people, things are more steady. Vandalism, and to some extent violence and shoplifting, have seen small fluctuations over time, but no dramatic shifts, although we might be seeing a slight uptick in the last couple of years.

People can be quite wary of groups of children or young people at the corner shop, but pretty low numbers of 10-15 year olds say they have nicked something in the last year and even fewer say they have ever tried cannabis. The reduction in fighting between 2018 and 2020 has almost reversed. Perhaps another curious effect of the pandemic keeping us all apart?

There's also been an increase in the number saying they've been involved in vandalism in the last year. But we're still talking about low numbers overall. Only time will tell if these 'risky behaviours' are truly on the rise in young people and whether this is an impact of widespread global uncertainty and rising poor mental health are contributing factors.