Concern has been raised over plans to discontinue a youth outreach project in Bexley that was brought in after a mass brawl in Northumberland Heath.

Bexley Council is currently considering dozens of ways to save taxpayers’ money as it looks to plug a budget gap of £9m.

One proposal would save £25,000 – but mean the council not carrying forward the services of two adolescent outreach workers.

The workers were brought in on top of the council’s regular services following the notorious incident in Northumberland Heath.

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In 2016 a violent brawl erupted between approximately 100 schoolchildren.

The workers are employed to “support the community to tackle areas of high-risk anti-social behaviour”.

The cash would not be taken from the usual safety budget as the extra project was provided on top of the standard services.

However, councillor Mabel Ogundayo has concerns the service is being scrapped before the problems have been fixed.

“I was disappointed to see we are taking money out of supporting vulnerable youths and getting rid of the outreach workers," the councillor said.

“I imagine this money came in following the incident after Northumberland Heath.

“We need to be proactive rather than reactive, to suggest the issue is dealt with and the money can be taken away worries me to say the least.

“What other actions can be taken to ensure similar incidents don’t occur again?”

Several witnesses said some of the kids had knives and baseball bats with them as they described blood coming out of one boy’s eyes and nose, describing the Northumberland Heath scene as “pandemonium”.

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The cabinet member in charge of the budget said a new integrated approach was being designed, adding there would be £25k made available for match-funding for new services.

Cllr Alex Sawyer said: “The programme ended in September this year and served us well.

“It was however a standalone programme, and I have asked officers to look at establishing a new programme that does not stand alone but forms an integrated approach with other departments.

“Youth outreach remains high up on my priorities. If we see similar situations like we did with Northumberland Heath then the council will do what it has to within the resources that it has.

“If additional funding is deemed appropriate then it will be found. Based on the current situation which is better, if not perfect, and based on my expectation that the council works strategically across all departments, and source other streams of money, I stand by the saving.”