"Abseiling youths" concern points to need for further youth investment in NW1

In one of the stranger cases reported to me, I am told by concerned residents of the Regent’s Park Estate that youths have been seen "abseiling from blocks", having mocked up climbing equipment from the roofs.

During the holidays, youths would go to a particular block on the estate and attempt to abseil down the building, some looking through extractor fans into people’s bathrooms.

In one incident, a youth was stuck half way down a 5-story blocks and had to be helped by none-to-pleased local people.

By general consent, youth problems on the estate are worse than they have been in some years – certainly worse than since I became a councillor in 2002. Although the housing department has responded with some extra money following officer concerns - £12,000 hardly goes a long way – and more concerted action is needed.

Sadly, this council seems to be more concerned with setting up debating societies and suchlike rather than integrated youth work (some of this was cut on the estate last year) and dealing with kids who come to the estate from other areas (as far as Swiss Cottage).

With luck, work on the rebuilding of the Samuel Lithgow Youth club on Stanhope Street should start soon. A massive £300k grant was secured by local councillors and the West Euston Partnership from developers British Land. When completed this will provide a vital facility for young people in the area.