So why does it happen?

According to a study published by the Institute for Public Policy Research in July 2007 that compared Britain with other European countries over a period of years -

“British teenagers are more likely to get into fights, hang out with other teenagers, binge drink, take drugs and have underage and unprotected sex than teenagers in most other European countries”

The IPPR believe this is due to a collapse in family and community life in the UK, and how British teenagers spend their time.

When compared to French German and Italian teenagers, the study shows that British 15-year-olds get drunk more often, get into more fights, and more of them have had sex than their European counterparts.

Their findings show that in England, 45% of 15-year-old boys spend most evenings hanging out with their friends; in Scotland the figure is even higher at 59%, but only 17% of boys do the same in France.

European teenagers also sit down for meals with their parents far more often, a huge 93% of Italian teenagers regularly eat with their family compared with 64% in the UK.

According to the IPPR British children and teenagers are learning behaviours and values from their peer group rather than adults. Which they believe is leading to even worse behaviour and poor life skills that leaves them vulnerable to failure academically and in employment. And that it is a factor in deteriorating relationships and understanding between adults and young people.

Compared with other countries there are also big differences in drug and alcohol use by British teenagers, based on 2003 figures the study showed that 38% of British 15-year-olds had tried cannabis - compared with 27% in Germany an just 7% in Sweden.

And that British 15-year-olds were the third worst binge-drinkers in Europe - only Denmark and Ireland were worse.

Surprisingly the IPPR report suggests that Britons are also more materialistic than American youngsters, they are more aware of brands and place great importance on consumer goods and possessions. Potentially a driver for crime such as robbery and burglary.