Parents fear youth crime is set to rise after an announcement their area is to lose its youth worker.

Youngsters at Jireh House in Fred's Place, Sticker Lane, were celebrating earlier this year after winning grants of £110,000 for refurbishment work.

But an application to Bradford Council for money to fund youth worker Peter Softley was turned down during the latest round of hand-outs.

Parent Tony Carey said: "This area suffers from vandalism and youth crime but Peter goes out and talks to people, he's well respected.

"To have money pumped into the centre and no full-time youth worker is madness.

"It'll become known as the Marie Celeste of the youth world."

Building work at the centre is due to start in the New Year after donations of £80,000 from English Partnerships and £30,000 from the Tudor Trust.

A grant from Bradford Council of £21,000 to pay for youth work runs out in March.

The centre has money to pay a youth worker part-time, but parents and youngsters fear a football team, pioneering youth empowerment sessions, study support groups and summer activities will end with the departure of 23-year-old Mr Softley.

Lisa Waterhouse, 15, of Brook Lane, Dudley Hill, said: "We all trust Peter because we know him and he's from round here. We had lots of plans for next year but I doubt we'll be able to do them."

Mr Softley had been working with police and the North British Housing Association to combat crime and vandalism in and around the Longfield Drive estate and Fenby Avenue.

A special Neighbourhood Forum meeting is to be held at Lower Fields Middle School to discuss the problem on January 14 at 7.30pm.

Councillor Ralph Berry, chairman of Bradford Council community development committee, said youth work in the Sticker Lane area would be re-examined because the centre's application was turned down.

He said: "We take no pleasure in telling them no but there were many worthy applications.

"We may assign one of our own youth workers to the area."

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