POLICE and crime commissioner Martyn Underhill has drawn a link between cuts to Dorset's youth service budget and an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour.

During a meeting this week, he said the decision by the former county council to cut its youth budget has led to young people growing up 'without amenities or support'.

“The local authorities have removed most youth services except those that are statutory," he said at the police and crime panel meeting.

"This retreat from outreach services, youth services and early intervention over several years, has led to a generation of youth growing up in Dorset without amenities or support in many cases.

"We have lost Surestart, for example, and in rural Dorset, the council have shed over 20 youth community centres."

He highlighted an increase in exclusions and anti-social behaviour as being symptoms of the issue, and said Poole bus station is a "hotspot" for problems.

"We face a societal issue that needs a societal response,” he said.