Youth Services and Anti-Social Behaviour

This is a report linking anti-social behaviour to the closure of youth centres; In Norfolk as it happens.  I don't deny that there is a link.  That is why Brent Council has preserved its youth centres, and is making a major new invesment in the Roundwood Youth Centre in Kensal Green.

However, I don't think the analysis is entirely satisfactory.  Firstly, I think these kind of activities appeal only to a proportion of young people.  Large numbers seem happy doing other things.  Many of those who are most likely to commit anti-social behaviour won't go near the Council Youth Service.  However, I suspect that the Youth Service probably is successful in drawing mildly disaffected people away from getting involved in criminality.  In doing so they help to isolate the hard core, who were mostly likely to commit the kind of public disorder that we saw recently.

Perhaps Nick Clegg and David Cameron should reflect on that as they preside over major cuts to youth services around the country.