More than a hundred people gathered at Selhurst Park last week to discuss the effectiveness of sport in tackling youth crime.

Active Communities Network, a grassroots sports charity, presented a report called Urban Stars which looked into engaging with marginalised young people through sport.

The research was conducted by the University of Gloucestershire and includes evidence from projects in Croydon, as well as Lambeth and Southwark.

Greater London Authority member for Croydon and Sutton, Steve O’Connell, who was among the invited guests, said: “It’s absolutely vital for the council, for the mayor’s office and for the GLA to understand and recognise the vital work that Active Communities Network are doing.

“I was really impressed with the event because there was some good conversation between some really great practitioners of working with young people, of sharing best practice and presenting the case for the good work they are doing.”