The young have lost respect for adults because of the latter's abrogation of responsibility in its pandering to 'yoof' says Claire Fox

In the post-riot debates over causes and solutions, the issue of youth policies has been centre stage. While it sometimes seems as though society might want to move on - possibly forget - the summer's shocking disturbances, the images of children aged 11 to 14 looting and destroying their communities with apparent impunity, should be a clarion call to all adults.