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It鈥檚 one of 77 local councils have been given 25 million each for to provide activities for young people in areas where crime and anti social behaviour are a problem area.

The announcement by Children and Young People鈥檚 Minister Beverley Hughes will mean youth centres stay open late at weekends and evenings, a part of the government鈥檚 plan to try and tackle issues like knife crime.

It鈥檚 come as welcome news for the council. Councillor Val Rush, who鈥檚 responsible for community safety and neighbourhood services, said:

"Reshaping youth services to engage with young people in places and at times that meet their needs have to be at the centre of the new agenda.

鈥淭he additional resources from the Taskforce to promote Friday and Saturday night activities in Barking and Dagenham will provide a real stimulus to spread this good practice and give more opportunities to more young people."

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, also welcomed the move:

鈥淵oung people tell us that they want more things to do on Friday and Saturday nights and so we are giving 77 local areas an extra 拢25,000 each. Preventing young people from getting into trouble by offering them positive activities is the best way to tackle the minority of young people who cause disruption.

鈥� So as well as funding local areas we are providing them with support, information and continuous help to ensure the activities available are what young people want and are prepared to get involved with.鈥�

鈥淲e know that Friday and Saturday nights are a hotspot time for anti-social behaviour particularly in disadvantaged areas that鈥檚 why we are investing additional funds to ensure young people have access to good quality positive activities at the times they want and need them.鈥�

The funding programme will help Barking & Dagenham tackle youth crime through offering diversionary activities to ensure young people across the country can socialise and learn new skills in a safe environment.