A FIERCE fightback from Haringey's young people is underway over threats to close much-loved youth centres that keep them off the streets because of budget cuts.

The 300-strong movement – dubbed Save Haringey Youth Centres - are gearing up to take on Haringey Council's chief executive, Kevin Crompton, at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, in Tottenham, tomorrow to voice their concerns.

Word on the Street, organised by campaigners, will give young people the chance to challenge Mr Crompton on the wide-ranging effects the council's restricted budget will have on the borough's youth including fears youth centres will be closed.

Young people representing clubs from all corners of the borough have flocked to support the campaign which formed last month.

Not only do they hope to help prevent the closures of centres which are home to positive youth projects such as award-winning Exposure Magazine based in Muswell Hill, but for closed centres, in Bounds Green and Stroud Green, to be reopened.

The centres also run work apprenticeship programmes, counselling services, sports tournaments, sexual health advice and support young people to find jobs or college courses.

Many of these services would go if more centres were to close.

Cordel Robinson, 19, who has attended Bruce Grove Youth Centre for the past three years, said: "It is getting to the stage where if young people don't stand up now, something we really value will just be taken away from us.

"For me, the youth centre was a place where I could come and it gave me something productive to do. Everybody who comes here will tell you the same thing - if it wasn't for the youth centres and the youth workers they would be on the street corners causing trouble."

He added: "I do think crime would rise and the productivity and creativity of the young people would decline. Some people who are struggling in school get the mentoring and motivation they need to keep going right here. It would be a real shame to see any more centres have to close."

So far more than 1,000 signatures have been collected and representatives from Haringey Youth Council have grilled Haringey Council leader Claire Kober on the issue. On Facebook, more than 400 supporters signed up to support SHYC in two days.

The teenagers have also lodged Freedom of Information (FoI) requests requesting vital information they hope will help their cause.

Young people involved in the campaign represent current youth centres based in Bruce Grove, Muswell Hill, Wood Green but are now being joined by young people who have already lost their youth centres.

Representatives from the group are also due to speak on the issue alongside Tottenham MP David Lammy at Park View Academy, in Langham Road, on November 24.