Labour announces plans to make provision of youth services compulsory to tackle violent crime

'As violent crime continues to rise across the country, it’s more vital than ever that we get tough on the causes of crime, as well as crime,' says London mayor Sadiq Khan

Sadiq Khan said statutory youth services would 'help young people turn away from criminal activity' (AFP)

Labour has vowed to make it a legal obligation for youth services to be provided in every area of England as part of a plan to stop young people being lured into gangs.

Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, and Cat Smith, shadow minister for voter engagement and youth affairs, announced that a Labour government would ring-fence spending on services for young people in a bid to tackle rising levels of violent crime.

New figures from the House of Commons library reveal local councils are spending 52 per cent less on youth services than they were in 2012, they said, while over 600 youth centres have closed since 2010.

Labour said it would introduce legislation to guarantee "quality youth services for all young people", which would be overseen by a new national body with ring-fenced government funding. The organisation would work with partners in every local area to fund services for young people, including youth centres, sports facilities, youth workers and counsellors.

It has launched a consultation on how the new system would work.

Labour said the plans would help prevent young people being attracted by gangs and falling into a life of violent crime, which has risen by 16 per cent in England and Wales in the last year alone.

The rise has been particularly steep in London, where the murder rate has soared by 44 per cent in the last year. In the same period, gun crime in the capital has increased by 23 per cent and knife crime is up by 21 per cent.

Announcing Labour's plans for youth services, Mr Khan said: “As violent crime continues to rise across the country, it’s more vital than ever that we get tough on the causes of crime, as well as crime.

“The Tories’ cuts have already decimated youth services and our policing frontline. In London we are trying to plug the gap - with a new £45m Young Londoners Fund and £138m more for our police. But we can’t solve the problem alone - not when this Tory government continues to slash funding to the services young Londoners so desperately need. They are neither tough on crime, nor the causes of it.

“Labour in power will deliver a properly funded youth service that will not only help young people turn away from criminal activity, but will give them the chance to fulfil their potential.”

Labour has previously undertaken a consultation on the benefits of statutory youth services, while senior figures such as John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, had already given their backing to the idea.

Ms Smith said: “The government has left youth services across the country devastated after eight years of unnecessary and unjustified austerity.

“With youth services targeted for budget cuts, the Tories have created the conditions in which crime can thrive, leaving young people vulnerable to violence and denied the opportunity to build a positive future.

She added: “Enough is enough. Today, we are launching our consultation on a statutory youth service which outlines a bold vision of what a Labour government will achieve.

“I urge anyone who wants to improve the opportunities available to young people to get involved. Together, we will rebuild youth services to create a system that truly works for the many, not the few.”