Creativity of youth will spark change in London

He said: "The Games are a positive thing for east London, but I don't think we should kid ourselves that they will have a transformative effect.

"We should remember that the majority of people were initially either against it or apathetic. Because of all the roadworks and development, it's now seriously impacting people's lives and the frustration is even more tangible. People are asking why they're not getting jobs and education. It's just meant that people have come in who can afford the rents.

"It's taken a lot of money away from the arts. That's going to have a negative effect if you're a young person involved in dance or drama.

"People always knew the talk of legacy was a load of nonsense and political spin. I don't think many were ever really convinced by that."

Dr Gunter worked with young people in Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest for 15 years after moving from Birmingham in the 1990s. He drew on the trust he had built up with local families to create his book, Growing Up Bad, which chronicles the lives of black, white and mixed-race youngsters between the ages of 13 and 21.

He is now a senior lecturer in criminology and criminal justice at UEL's School of Law.

He said: "I started the research almost 10 years ago. The book looks at the entirety of young people's lives, from fashion to friendships, family and music.

"I'd been working with young people for many years, so they knew me and their parents trusted me. They wanted to help me tell their story."

During his research, Dr Gunter was most impressed by the status of east London as a "creative hub", helping to develop musical styles such as drum and bass and rave culture.

He said: "To me, it was just noise. But the most impressive thing is how creative they are with it.

"Some of the kids aren't that good at reading and writing but they can recite lyrics in detail and teach people younger than them. Issues such as concern for their community come out in their music and fashion. It's not just 'me, me, me'.

"The thing about culture is that it comes from people when you least expect it. I think something's afoot. Something very positive will come out of this downturn."

Nevertheless, Dr Gunter is concerned that not enough is being done to help local young people succeed in east London.

He said: "We've got to give them hope. While we shouldn't put our heads in the sand about the bad things that are happening, we shouldn't give people a feeling of hopelessness.

"Young people - particularly black young people - get a bad rap. Most are decent people trying to make a way for themselves. While many of them will not go to university, they will still get jobs and yet need more support.

"One of the biggest problems is the lack of further education. It's a lifeline. The cuts at places like Tower Hamlets College are quite major. One of the great things about further education is that it gives young people a second chance.

"They can go to youth clubs, and because it isn't a formal environment you see a lot of people who wouldn't normally turn up.

"Government agendas change and maybe it has been decided that further education colleges are not where it's at. Funding has been cut and teachers have been laid off.

"A lot of the optimism has been sucked out of young people. The Olympics is nice in theory but it doesn't seem to be impacting the lives of young people, and when they see bankers losing their jobs they wonder what hope they have.

"It makes it that much more difficult to be optimistic, but they always seem to have that river of energy."

Growing Up Bad was published by Tufnell Press last week, and Dr Gunter promises an "intimate portrait of camaraderie, music, fashion and laughing with friends".

He said: "I hope it tells of their spirit, encourages them and gives them hope.

"Instead of books about knife crime, murder and hate, it's something that helps to portray young people as they've always been; trying to make their way in a world which is changing and complicated."