The long and ignorant neglect of youth work is at the heart of our crisis of violence on the streets.

We once had a respected youth service with youth officers to guide the transfer from school to the world of work. The wealthy know how important this is and pay a lot for schools where house masters and mistresses fill that role. Twenty-five years ago it was a bleak outlook for many young people: no place to meet friends or obtain information, and no trusted adult professional to help on leaving school.

In a rural area problems were compounded  by isolation, poverty and lack of transport.

The Teme Valley Youth Group began in a small way 25 years ago and had to find its own funds.

Local and central government help was timid.

There was a snobbish attitude to youth work and a general fear of teenagers.

Despite strong opposition the group flourished and managed to raise large sums to build a fine centre.

Continuation support failed and eventually closure followed.

The widespread failure of government, local and central, is a prime cause of youth crime and violence today.

It will take years to deal with the problem.

More police are not the answer and may make things worse.

Alan Laurie

Ludlow