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.

People can be quite wary of groups of children or young people at the corner shop, but only 3% of 10-15 year olds say they have ever nicked something, and that has been pretty consistent for the last 10 years. If anything, there has been a small reduction in fighting, particularly between 2018 and 2020. Perhaps another curious effect of the pandemic keeping us all apart?

Very few 10-15 year olds say they have tried cannabis, but in 2021 this figure stood at 1% – its lowest point in 10 years. Is this a new long-term trend, or a temporary impact of the pandemic restrictions? Only time will tell.