STUDLEY and Alcester are no strangers to the seemingly perpetual problem of anti-social behaviour, apparently the result of teenagers on the streets with nothing to do.

With the police trying new "get-tough" measures of dispersing gangs, another prong of attack is taking shape in the form of a dedicated new youth worker who has just taken up his post.

Hamish Cameron has been appointed by Warwickshire County Council to work in both Studley and Alcester until the end of March.

The 25-year-old has two years of experience behind him in Nuneaton and is convinced his approach will pay dividends.

"Young people need a voice," said Mr Cameron.

"Without showing them respect, you are not going to get any respect back, so it's important we make them feel like they belong.

"It's early days, but I've got a lot of ideas.

"In the short-term I will be out and about, mainly of an evening, talking to them and finding out their needs.

"There's a lot going on in Studley and Alcester already and I can act as a co-ordinating force for those organisations and agencies. But it's my job to actually speak to those who feel a bit wary of joining the youth club or whatever organisation and find out why."

Mr Cameron is convinced this sort of pro-active approach does work and believes having someone like him to talk to allows young people to open up much more than they would with a police officer for example.

"If the police have a message, it's better it comes from a person like me than someone in uniform," said Mr Cameron.

"A lot of my time will eventually entail doing project work, not necessarily organising things myself, but helping the kids organise their own stuff, whatever it might be."

Warwickshire County Councillor Helen McCarthy welcomed the appointment.

"Hamish believes in the community and doesn't seem daunted at all with getting to grips with young people in the area," she said.

"He believes in bringing the young people back into the community and I can only applaud that. Young people are not a separate species."

Mr Cameron can be contacted at Studley Youth and Community Centre on 01527 852472.