Government asked to step in over anti-social behaviour in Whitleigh
A Plymouth councillor wants the Government to hand over youth services cash after fears cuts have led to a rise in anti-social behaviour, Plymouth nHerald reported.
Jon Taylor said there was an urgent need to improve support for young people and divert them from anti-social behaviour and crime.
He highlighted recent problems in the Whitleigh area of Plymouth, which were partly being blamed on the withdrawal of services for young people.
Cllr Taylor said Tory austerity cuts had halved spending nationwide on youth services since 2012.
He said problems in Whitleigh including crime and anti-social behaviour linked to street drinking and drugs , and low-level anti-social behaviour often from young people.
Steps were being taken to tackle the issues, including installing CCTV on Whitleigh Green after a spate of incidents.
He added: “From working with the police and local people, one of things that comes up is that some of the low-level anti-social behaviour is from young people.
“People seem to think it has been on the rise since youth services have been cut.
“Although it’s speculation, it seems quite logical that if people have got nothing to do, it then creates problems.
“Youth services should not be an add-on. It should be a statutory provision - a core service that the council provides.”
Scroll down for video
Read more from Plymouth Herald
My view: If you're old enough to commit crime, then you should be named and pictured, it's time the law is changed to stop protecting teenage thugs who think they're above the law, because they're not being named and shamed with their pictures across the media, it'll discourage would-be criminals. Anonymity for serious child criminals is not fair on the victim, the accused should be named, especially when there's CCTV evidence.