A new report, Teenage Kicks, describes how sport can be very effective in preventing young people getting involved in crime, provided there is early intervention.

Teenage Kicks, commissioned by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, highlights just how important it is that there is intervenetion in the early stages with young people on the cusp of getting involved in crime, ensuring they have positive engagement with mentors, peers and role models.

The report found that The Boxing Academy based in Tottenham, costs half as much as a pupil referral unit and has lower re-offending rates. It also revealed that one Kicks project saved £7 for every £1 invested, by reducing costs to victims, police, prisons and courts.

Crime prevention minister James Brokenshire said: “We recently announced funding of £10m for the Positive Futures programme which uses sport and other creative activities to engage with young people and help them turn their lives around.

He added: “We also announced £4m for small local organisations working in communities across the country to prevent young people getting involved in gang and knife related crime.”

He encouraged local organisations to apply for the £4 million funding which opens for applications soon.