IN responding to Hugh Cooper's letter regarding anti-social behaviour I believe it is important to address some of the root causes of the problem.

While I agree with Mr Coopers that Trafford has a problem with anti social behaviour on its parks, I would question his use of the phrase 'Britain's youth mental health crisis'.

Clearly mental health and anti social behaviour can be linked to one and other in some instances but I would reject the generalisation of mental health as a reason not to engage with young people (although I accept that 3am on a Sunday morning is probably not the time to debate this distinction!).

Trafford has plenty of dutiful residents who take care of our parks and green spaces. Often they are organised in one of the many excellent 'Friends Of ..' groups across the borough and I am sure they could all relate to Mr Coopers letter.

Local politicians have much to answer for on this issue. Over the past few years, Trafford Council has overseen a huge reduction in funding for youth services. Over the past year alone seven youth centres have closed. These are not just places that keep kids off the streets and parks, they are services that offer support on issues ranging from sexual health to finding employment.

They are places for young people to find creative output in areas such as art, drama and music as well as develop practical and social skills. They are havens for children from some of our more disadvantaged areas and they offer those children an opportunity to develop in ways that schools often cannot.

A survey of social workers conducted across the UK by UNISON recently found that 83 per cent of respondents agreed that cuts to youth services had led to increased crime and anti-social behaviour. Trafford is a largely safe borough. It is absurd for the council to risk our highly valued low crime rate by neglecting our young people, yet this is precisely what they are doing by slashing the budget for these services by up to 70 per cent.

There is cause to be optimistic. Gorse Hill Studios in Stretford has stayed open, despite the withdrawal of its funding, through independent fundraising and the hard work of its staff and volunteers. It offers young people access to some of the best arts and drama projects in the North West, (including a graffiti art project aimed at tackling vandalism) and even has its own radio station.

Despite the commitment of professionals and volunteers, local government must accept that is has a responsibility to help these organisations, not hinder them, as they are invaluable to our community. Sadly, youth services seem to always be amongst the first areas to be hit by beleaguered local services under the pressures of austerity. In Trafford we must engage with our young people, build and sustain pressure on our politicians and make sure we champion the integral role that youth centres can play in the well being of our communities, not just in keeping our parks clean and safe.

Shaun Ennis, Davyhulme.