London youth club closures increased offending – report

The paper found that in 2009, about 40% of Londoners aged between 11 and 16 attended a youth club at least once a week.

“Overall, the societal costs of increased crime and lost education far outweigh the initial savings from youth club closures,” Ms Vila added.

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the closure of youth clubs in the past decade had been “hugely damaging for children and young people”.

Arooj Shah, chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said: “Youth services provide essential support to young people, providing them with a safe place, trusted relationships, attracting them away from being drawn into negative situations and reducing demand for acute services as a consequence.”

She said despite having a statutory duty to provide educational and recreational activities, these services were cut due to less government funding and rising needs elsewhere.