A YOUTH charity worker has made a desperate plea for change after a 20-year-old died in a "horrific" Batley street-fight.

Tanisha Bramwell, who works for a youth and community charity throughout Kirklees, wrote an open letter to her MP Tracy Brabin (Batley & Spen, Labour), describing how young people need to feel supported and "safe in their town". 

It comes after 20-year-old Bradley Stuart Gledhill from Heckmondwike died from a stab injury received during a fight between a group of males in Batley on Sunday evening.

Read more: Arrests made after 20-year-old dies in Batley fight

In the letter, the youth worker stated that she and her team held conversations with young people aged 12-21 to gain an insight into the pressures on young people.

The data collected showed a need for three top priorities: Gang culture, knife crime and anti-social behaviour.

She wrote: "The community is reeling from this news as are towns and communitys surrounding Batley.

"The young man's name is Bradley Gledhill. I have spoken with some of his family members today and understandbly, their hearts are broken. I run a youth and community charity, and the young people I work with are also struggling with this news.

"This is simply NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Our young people, parents, children and communities deserve to feel safe in their town. Bradley Gledhill CAN NOT and SHOULD NOT be just another statistic for you. Someone’s son and brother arent coming home tonight because of this horrific attack.

"This is not the first knife attack in Batley or local area and many community members and professional’s fear that it wont be the last. How many more lives have to be lost for you and our local a(u)thority to prioritize this need.

"When HUGE CUTS TO SERVICE happen and the gover(m)ent take’s away funds from youth worker, police, mental health, education etc. Young people are left to build their own relationships, with a lack of support comes a huge lack of education. Social needs such as gang crime, ASB and substance abuse surround them immediately, and with no mediation, or support on the ground, our young people are at risk everyday.

"Now I completely understand it was the conservative government who was and currently run this country and it was their party that brought cuts to service. But the LEAST we should see is someone fighting for these needs to be targetted. The least we should see is public servants coming to together with stakeholders, professionals and local people to help support and target these needs. To show outcomes, and be able to create a vision of change so future generations don’t endure these type of horrific attacks."

After publishing the letter online, Tracy Brabin held a phone call with the youth worker, agreeing with her concerns as she pledged to support her moving forward.

The Telegraph & Argus has contacted Ms Brabin for a comment.

Ms Bramwell told the Telegraph & Argus: "One of the things we do is engage with young people, the needs we target currently are ASB and gang related activity.

"After seeing the death of Brad Glendhill someone who I know of and my young people are friends with, my heart broke. But I was also in fear, fear that this would not be the last time we see one of these stories on a local level.

"My letter is for her to identify that this IS a priority and to support the movement that follows. Me and my team are working right now to set up a strategic meeting with stakeholders to begin to address gang culture and knife crime."

West Yorkshire Police has told how it is carrying out a number of enquiries today and neighbourhood policing teams will be increasing patrols in and around Park Croft and surrounding areas.

Detective Superintendent Jim Griffiths of Kirklees Police, said: “We fully realise the concern this incident will cause in communities in Batley and officers from Kirklees District are working today to support HMET colleagues in investigating what took place and also speak with local residents.

“Our local neighbourhood policing teams, in conjunction with our partner agencies, are working closely with our communities to understand problems and identify areas where greater support is needed.

“This incident has taken place against a backdrop of big falls in knife crime in Kirklees over the past 12 months following multiple police operations and continued proactive patrolling by colleagues from the force’s Operation Jemlock team.

Read more: Major operation to reduce knife crime sees over 2,500 arrests

“These sort of offences are treated exceptionally seriously by Kirklees Police and we continue to deploy significant resources into combatting offending of this kind.

“Enhanced patrols will be continuing over the next few days and officers will be available within the area for local residents to liaise with directly."