STARTLING new research reveals that unemployment, debt and violent crime are the biggest fears for youth in the West Midlands.

The Youth Future Fears UK survey was conducted by Ipsos MORI and commissioned by UK volunteering charity CSV and Tesco as part of the Agents4Change campaign, which recruits young people to take positive action in their communities.

The campaign is supported by youth volunteering charity v.

People aged 16 to 25 across the region were asked to rank their top fears for the future. The results reveal:

Over half (52 per cent) cite unemployment as their fear for the future compared with a national average of 40 per cent.

Almost half (49 per cent) are worried about debt.

29 per cent are concerned about violent crime.

A quarter of all youths questioned (25 per cent) are worried about global warming.

About one in five (21 per cent) are concerned about racial tension compared to a national average of 17 per cent, the second highest rate in the UK behind London.

Only five per cent are worried about obesity compared to 12 per cent nationwide.

Six per cent cite binge drinking as a future fear.

Fewer young people in the West Midlands are concerned about sexually transmitted diseases (four per cent) than in any other part of the UK, compared to a national average of nine per cent.

Three per cent cite eating disorders as a fear for the future.

Agents4Change is a two-year campaign co-ordinated by volunteering charity CSV, with support from Tesco and youth volunteering charity v. It aims to empower more than 12,000 people, aged between 16 and 25, to get involved in community projects.

Sue Farrington, of the Agents4Change campaign, said: "Young people have genuine fears for the future but they are not powerless to overcome them.

"They can help keep our streets safer by mentoring young people at risk of offending, give advice on managing debt by volunteering to teach budgeting and financial skills and help combat global warming by taking part in recycling or conservation projects."

Tesco director of corporate and legal affairs, Lucy Neville-Rolfe, said: "It was interesting and a little disturbing to read this survey that suggested young people were so concerned about debt, unemployment and crime.

"Tesco people work in the heart of many communities and are in constant contact with customers and also with local businesses and the police and they see the effects of the issues identified by the survey.

"Getting involved in projects that add something positive to the places we live and work can help young people to develop all sorts of skills, such as team working.

"Volunteering is a great way to encourage more young people to use and improve their skills and that is why Tesco backs the Agents4Change campaign."

For more information on the Agents4Change campaign visit: www.comcats.org.uk/agents4change.