As someone who founded the Community Safety Working Group of Skipton Town Council, I am deeply concerned about the impact these potential cuts could have. One of the objectives for the Community Safety Working Group was to enhance the safety and well-being of young people in Skipton by providing them with more resources, activities, and support networks. However, these recent discussions about further reducing youth services have left me worried that these efforts could be undermined.
Cutting these services will only exacerbate the issues we're trying to solve. It's incredibly frustrating to see plans that could take away the very support that our young people desperately need. Over the past decade, Skipton and Craven have witnessed a steady decline in youth services, with funding cuts forcing the closure of several vital facilities and programmes.
In 2014, the Craven District had 15 youth clubs and centres, providing a safe space for over 1,200 young people weekly. Today, only five remain, serving a reduced number of just 500 youths. This decline has not only left many young people without access to essential services but has also contributed to a rise in antisocial behaviour and mental health issues among the youth population.
Local statistics further highlight the urgency of the situation. A report from the North Yorkshire Youth Partnership indicated a 30 percent increase in youth crime rates in Craven between 2018 and 2023, directly correlating with the reduction in youth.