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| Pc quits over youth club age row | Pc quits over youth club age row |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A police officer has resigned as the voluntary leader of a youth club in protest at plans to allow people aged up to 25 admission to the group. | A police officer has resigned as the voluntary leader of a youth club in protest at plans to allow people aged up to 25 admission to the group. |
| Phil Westbury said Ceredigion Council's proposals in Aberystwyth would have a negative impact on young people. | Phil Westbury said Ceredigion Council's proposals in Aberystwyth would have a negative impact on young people. |
| With two colleagues, he worked with 30 to 40 youngsters aged 11-16 at Penparcau Youth Club for six years. | With two colleagues, he worked with 30 to 40 youngsters aged 11-16 at Penparcau Youth Club for six years. |
| The council said there were plans to run a youth group for those aged up to 25, but on different evenings. | The council said there were plans to run a youth group for those aged up to 25, but on different evenings. |
| This is a recipe for disaster Phil Westbury | This is a recipe for disaster Phil Westbury |
| But Mr Westbury, who worked with the young people when he was off duty, said he understood that the adults would attend the youth club on the same nights. | |
| The council said it regretted his decision to resign as leader, but it had a legal responsibility to work with and for 11-25-year-olds. | The council said it regretted his decision to resign as leader, but it had a legal responsibility to work with and for 11-25-year-olds. |
| In 2003, Mr Westbury, who is based at Aberystwyth, received an award from then Home Secretary David Blunkett for his work in the community. | In 2003, Mr Westbury, who is based at Aberystwyth, received an award from then Home Secretary David Blunkett for his work in the community. |
| But he said he felt compelled to resign following the council's decision. | But he said he felt compelled to resign following the council's decision. |
| "This is a recipe for disaster," said Mr Westbury. | "This is a recipe for disaster," said Mr Westbury. |
| Mr Westbury had worked at the youth club for six years | Mr Westbury had worked at the youth club for six years |
| "A youth club is just that - a club for young people. There's a case for a club for 16-20-year-olds, but not those aged up to 25. | "A youth club is just that - a club for young people. There's a case for a club for 16-20-year-olds, but not those aged up to 25. |
| "I feel that people aged up to 25 would have a negative influence on impressionable younger people. | "I feel that people aged up to 25 would have a negative influence on impressionable younger people. |
| "We need to target young people between 11-16, the most impressionable period of their lives, and I think we've had a positive affect and positive results working with children in that age bracket." | "We need to target young people between 11-16, the most impressionable period of their lives, and I think we've had a positive affect and positive results working with children in that age bracket." |
| Youth club member Dean Edwards, 15, opposes the council's plans. | Youth club member Dean Edwards, 15, opposes the council's plans. |
| He said: "My brother is 23 and has two children. He doesn't want to bother with a youth club. | He said: "My brother is 23 and has two children. He doesn't want to bother with a youth club. |
| "No-one from the council has explained what they are thinking of doing, and they don't seem to know if the adults will attend the same club as us." | "No-one from the council has explained what they are thinking of doing, and they don't seem to know if the adults will attend the same club as us." |
| A spokeswoman for the council said: "It is not suitable to have 11 and 25-year-olds at the youth club at the same time. | A spokeswoman for the council said: "It is not suitable to have 11 and 25-year-olds at the youth club at the same time. |
| "The issue of hosting two separate nights of activities for different ages has been discussed, and the thoughts of young people in the area are being sought." | "The issue of hosting two separate nights of activities for different ages has been discussed, and the thoughts of young people in the area are being sought." |