Haringey Liberal Democrats have uncovered figures that show the boroughs youth centres have been closed at least 26 times this year on days when they should have been open.

The discovery follows concerns from the local community that Bruce Grove youth centre had been closed repeatedly on days it should have been open.

The figures show that another of the borough’s youth centres, the Junction, based at Wood Green Library, has also been closed repeatedly. The centre was closed 10 times this year on days it should have been open.

Another centre in Muswell Hill was closed on 1 occasion.

Cllr Katherine Reece, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on children and education comments:

This is very worrying. After the riots we were told that the council would be doing more for young people and helping by giving them more opportunities to use youth centres.

I went to the launch of the youth strategy consultation earlier this year, which ironically took place at Bruce Grove youth centre and promised great things. Instead it turns out that youth centres in the areas most affected by the riots, Tottenham and Wood Green, have been closed 25 times on days they should have been open. That can’t be right.

I want to know where the extra £400,000 for youth services has gone and how exactly the budget for youth services is being spent?