Southampton Itchen MP John Denham is to meet community leaders in Townhill Park to look at ways of increasing youth facilities in the area.  The City Council’s draft City Youth Strategy identifies Townhill Park as a priority neighbourhood in need of a base for young people.

He said: "Many people criticise young people for the anti-social behaviour of a few of them.  I do not excuse bad behaviour and often call on the City Council and the police to do more to tackle it.  But most young people do not cause trouble and all of them need to have something to do and a place they can go to. 

"The closure of the Zone youth centre has severely diminished the youth facilities in Townhill Park and I want to explore, with local residents, ways to improve the situation.  I’m also calling on the City Council to increase its efforts to find somewhere suitable."