From the Frontline: Don't turn our youth centres into fortresses

1 September 2010 1 min read Youth Work

I was recently talking to a colleague who criticised youth clubs with "open-door policies". It was not enough, he said, to have someone by the door asking young people to sign in. There should at least be a locked door with window or spyhole, preferably a video entry system, and possibly trained security guards with metal detectors.

I found this an interesting interpretation of creating a welcoming and youth-friendly space. And yet the introduction of security measures is snowballing, motivated by worries over gun and knife crime and fear of paedophiles, it can be difficult to argue against when the safety card is pulled. But as a detached worker, I know that security and surveillance alienate many young people.

Some worry that CCTV images will be passed to authorities, not because they are doing anything "wrong" but because they are protective of their privacy. Others are simply shy. I know from my own experience joining a youth group that it took courage to walk through the door the first few times. I liked knowing I could come and go without having to speak to anyone or being watched. A buzzer, intercom and camera might have stopped me entering.

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