Cardiff's young homeless tell politicians of fears

Young people from a homeless charity in Cardiff told politicians they fear a rise in youth crime following the stabbing in Roath last week. This morning Conservative candidate for Cardiff West Angela Jones-Evans visited Llamau charity on Cathedral Road – a support group which helps the young homeless and potentially homeless get back on life's ladder. Alongside shadow Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan , Jones-Evans asked young people what their worries were. One 18-year-old who wished to remain anonymous said he was particularly worried by the stabbing of a 17-year-old Aamir Siddiq in Roath – other worries included sports facilities, litter, health, knife crime, gun crime, drugs and alcohol. Carl Cochrane, 16, said the voting age should be reduced to 16. Gillan said: "Over the weekend on Saturday on St Mary Street when I was having a meal I was constantly hearing polices going past and people drinking alcohol. It's just not the way to live a life." Llamau charity The charity works with young people and women to provide stepping stones (Llamau means 'steps' in Welsh) towards mainstream education jobs and integrating with the community. They work with more than 3000 young people on an individual basis across all local authorities in Wales. Chair of the charity Frances Beecher said: "Young people are at the lowest of the voting demographic and homeless young people are the most disenfranchised group. I wanted to show them what the parties are offering for young people." The Llamau base in Cardiff had recently run a series of workshops on democracy, visited the Senedd and were planning a trip to London on the cards for next year. Gillan told the teenagers she would show them around Westminster if she was voted into Parliament. She also shared her passion for helping young and vulnerable women. Time to reduce the voting age? Do you think 16 is the right age to vote? Have your say below.