Youth service cuts spark fears of antisocial behaviour

At a meeting in the Erdington constituency, residents discussed a range of projects likely to suffer from the cuts totalling nearly £1m.

As well as the closure of some youth centres, there is expected to be a drop in funding for projects targeting antisocial behaviour, teenage pregnancy and substance abuse.

Linda Hines, chair of the Kingstanding Neighbourhood Tasking Group, said the Green Door project, which has helped reduce antisocial behaviour in her area, will suffer.

She said: "Two years ago, in one week we were getting 40 reports of antisocial behaviour. This has dropped to around seven."

Among the cuts is the scrapping of a part-time worker in the Wyrley Birch area. "If a part-time post goes the other full-time post is not going to be able to do outreach work on their own.

"It is so short-sighted. What is going to happen when problems escalate again? It may save in the short term but there will be increases to policing and fire brigade costs, and residents' and young people’s quality of life will suffer."

Birmingham is making savings of seven per cent to its youth service, which in monetary terms will add up to around £980,000 from its £7m budget.