However, the weapons described were NOT found in the bags of Lancashire schoolchildren, and to be fair, a correction to this effect was swiftly published.

As Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for schools, I already know that weapons are not a problem in our classrooms.

But here lies a deeper issue. What facts do we actually know about our young people today? And how different are those facts from the hype and stereotypes?

A visitor from another planet might, after a week of exposure to television, newspapers and the web, conclude that young people are mostly out of control, and that many are weapon-carrying gang members. Fear of crime is spiralling despite statistics that show actual crime is falling.

In my role I spend a good deal of time with young people, seeing them in their schools, at out-of-hours activities, and of course I have contact with young people in my own extended family and community.

We have a population of about 165,000 children and young people of school age in the county. As in any large community, a few go off the rails and we have to work hard to bring them back on track.

But also, like any other community, the vast majority are honest, hard-working, and clear about the difference between right and wrong.

Young people are not demons or monsters. They are our future doctors, teachers, carpenters, police officers, plumbers and parents.

I am privileged because I see young people in action every week.

Just recently I've seen pupils learning to grow their own fruit and vegetables. I've visited schools with Healthy School status and seen the innovative things they do to keep their minds and bodies healthy.

I've been shown clever and innovative ideas from high school students such as a plan for washrooms that are designed so no one can smoke or be bullied in them.

I've also seen a leaflet written by young people warning their schoolmates not to take drugs.

I know that this is the real world, where the vast majority of young people are going about their lives and learning to be responsible adults.

Sometimes they will make mistakes along the way; but which of us hasn't?

But one of the biggest problems that all young people face nowadays is the fear and hysteria surrounding gangs and weapons. At the council we are privileged to come into contact with almost every young person in the county. Our job is to look after them and help them get the best out of life.

I hope that one of the ways in which we can help them is to combat the
damaging myths that surround them.