Outrage at disbanding of youth team set up to curb crime and gang grooming
By Harrison Galliven, Local Democracy Reporter
Young people in Croydon are raising concerns over the council’s decision to restructure its Youth Engagement Team (YET), fearing it could leave them vulnerable.
Critics, including Croydon East MP Natasha Irons, accuse the council of ignoring the loss of vital services that help prevent crime and gang grooming.
Ms Irons said: “The council is relying on the fact that most people don’t realise what’s being cut, but the service users and staff know how crucial this is.”
The YET has been instrumental in supporting young people, offering everything from gang prevention to leadership workshops. Its numerous programs are designed to empower Croydon’s youth, which figures show is the largest in London.
Ms Irons said staff were reportedly ‘in tears’ after being told the service would shut down.
The council hopes to transfer its remaining youth programmes to trusted voluntary organisations, but the MP has questioned how this will work.
“There’s been no public information and there has been no scrutiny of it. It was just a decision made behind closed doors,” she alleged.
“Because there’s no plan in the public domain, I don’t know if there will even be a youth offer in New Addington. It sounds like there will be nothing, as the council hasn’t worked to find charities to step in where they’re stepping back.”
The Croydon Youth Assembly (CYA), which provides a platform for young people to voice their concerns, is one of the 18 YET-run services now in limbo. Sixth-formers Johan Prinsloo and Hayley Norman, who have led campaigns like tree planting and litter picking, were also stunned by the council’s plans.
Johan said: “If there’s anywhere you shouldn’t take youth services from, it’s Croydon.”
Hayley said: “To hear that the council wanted to throw it away was shocking. We’re anxiously waiting – what are we supposed to do?”
The council has confirmed that no decision has been made about the CYA’s future but has promised to communicate with them soon.
Anthony King, a youth worker in the borough, echoed these concerns. He said: “Without the YET in the streets in the afternoon, what does that mean for safety? The kids see them on the way home from school and feel safer.”
The Starz ‘n’ Sisterz program, which focuses on protecting young girls at risk, could also lose support under the proposed changes. Ms Irons said: “These services save lives and stop kids from getting involved in things they shouldn’t.
“We have kids hurting each other on the streets, but we also have kids stuck in their bedrooms. This is a crisis of loneliness. Anything that stops young people from reaching their full potential is terrible.”
Croydon council said: “A decision to reduce core council funding for the council’s in-house youth engagement service was taken in the March 2022 budget. Following the end of the current grant funding in March 2025, the council is seeking to change the service to maximise help and support for the young people who most need it in the most effective way.
“Croydon has an excellent network of community partners who are highly skilled and experienced in working with young people. The council has a strong track record of working with them to deliver focused help for young people in need of support, when and where they need it.”
Pictured top: MP Natasha Irons (Picture: Natasha Irons)