THE behaviour of young people in Huddersfield has been a hot topic in recent weeks.

A police crackdown on spates of vandalism and anti- social behaviour at Lowerhouses prompted the debate.

But that area is not the only one having problems.

All over Kirklees there are complaints about young people gathering in groups, causing a nuisance and vandalising.

There are regular calls for police to get tough with youngsters or for the authorities to provide activities.

But Ivan York, the head of Kirklees Young People's Service, says this will not solve the problem.

He says it is a social issue and the task of solving it belongs to the community - especially the parents.

He added: "We are tired of being seen as the people who should do something. These kids have parents.

"We are being forced down the road of being community police officers. This doesn't always help. Some things are complex and need time and trust.

"The bottom line is that kids are not getting signals about what is acceptable."

Desmond Lewis, 17, of Walpole, said young people were not out to make trouble.

He said: "People look at you funny when we are hanging around. They think we are coming to make trouble. But it's only when people take that attitude that things happen.

"Everything that goes wrong in an area gets blamed on us."

His friend, Jason Fox, also 17 and from Walpole, agreed.

He said: "If we had some place to go it we would not have to hang around. But it would not change the way people think."

Mr York said activities helped some young people - but others would still misbehave.

Racial equality and youth worker Darren Wearing said: "Kids don't always want formal activity. They are happy in their own environment, but adults see it as threatening."

Walpole youth worker Jenny Simon said young people were isolated in society.

Better housing, home entertainment and easy phone communication meant young people didn't need to go out - and when they did they couldn't afford to do more than gather on the streets.

She is trying to solve this and get young and old to understand each other by encouraging young people to join tenants' and residents' associations.

She added: "Kids are excluded in a lot of ways. I'm trying to get them together to talk and understand each other."

One thing all the Kirklees Young People's Service staff stress is that not all young people are bad. Jenny said: "There are a lot of positive things going on."

Chris Dickinson, a youth worker at Newsome, said: "Those who are doing good things are really committed."

One success story is Almondbury teenager Andy Modeste.

Andy, 17, has been attending the young people's service summer programme for two years.

After training this year, he will be helping to run the activities.

He said: "It is good for kids to have something to do. I like working with them.

"It is a good opportunity, because I hope to get into work with the young people's service eventually."