A POLITICIAN has called for cuts to youth services in Haringey to be reversed after “fomenting tensions” that led to riots in Tottenham last night.

London Assembly member Jenny Jones (Green) added to youth community leader Symeon Jones' comments earlier today that cuts to community services led to mistrust.

She said: “We urgently need to examine all the factors that led to last night’s events in Tottenham, a community suffering from one of the highest deprivation levels in the country and take appropriate action to prevent repercussions.

“Violence and looting, and smashing up your own streets is not the answer. It’s bad for the old, the poor, and those who run the small businesses people rely on.

“The Government must take some of blame for what went wrong last night. Cuts to local services, especially youth services, played a role in fomenting tensions in the area.

“With one of the highest unemployment rates in London, Tottenham urgently needs help - emergency funds to stop youth centre closures and a review of policing must now be a priority.”

Cuts in Government funding led Haringey Council to close youth centres, after-school clubs, and the borough's youth counselling service in March's budget.