I have been involved in youth services for more than 50 years, starting as a volunteer for a Bermondsey youth club, when the docks were still open, running summer camps for boys and girls. I believe that if the home secretary Amber Rudd really wants to reduce knife crime, she needs to give us back our youth services, our youth training projects and hostels for young people.
In 1969 I became a teacher. I soon found that some children, bored at school, were completely different in the adventure playground I ran at weekends. One lad, Mickey*, got into trouble; his school report was appalling but in court I spoke about how positive he was in the playground and eventually he started work with his father. (Note to Amber Rudd: adventure playgrounds are best for children when there are staff to encourage and guide them.) …
