YOUTH services are crucial in preventing the radicalisation of young people in Britain, a South Gloucestershire-based charity has said.

In the wake of Sunday night’s terror attack in London and the attacks in Manchester, Sandy Hore-Ruthven, CEO of Creative Youth Network, said charities play a key role in protecting young people from extremist ideology.

“We know that support for young people to integrate into British society is key to avoiding extremism and helping young people make the most of their life in the U.K.,” he said.

“All young people are searching for their identity during their teenage years, but where their culture, upbringing and experiences are very different from the majority they are more likely to feel isolation. This makes them very vulnerable to radicalisation and can lead them to behave destructively.

“Youth work helps young people to understand different cultures and sets up friendships that last a lifetime.”

Creative Youth Network, who work with young people from diverse backgrounds across South Gloucestershire and the South West, helped 171 young people, in 2016 alone, avoid antisocial behaviour in Bristol.

Mr Hore-Ruthven made the claim that funding for youth services has been cut by £700million since 2010 and implored for whichever party wins the general election to “invest in our young people, engage them in conversations and listen to their concerns.”

For more information on the charity, visit www.creativeyouthnetwork.org.uk