A lack of summer play schemes could mean an increase in antisocial behaviour over the summer, Oxford city councillors fear.

They have criticised the policy of the county council's youth service to support youth activities in term-time but not during school holidays.

In May, the youth service approached the city council's north east area committee for money.

Susan Brown, city council member for crime and community safety, said: "The committee agreed to support the county on this, but I have my reservations as to why the city should be funding it.

"We are anxious to have youth provision because it prevents antisocial behav- iour."

City councillors were meeting Louise Chapman, county council cabinet member for children's services, today to find out how the youth service can get more funding so that more activities can be supported.

Mrs Brown said: "They only fund term-time youth provision, not holiday provision."

She suggested the county council should also focus more strongly on estates like Wood Farm.

She said: "They use a per capita approach, but they must recognise that some areas have greater needs.

"It's wrong to suggest that in leafy suburbs where people have large gardens, the young people have as much need as those living in overcrowded flats with no outside recreation facilities."

Mrs Brown is also the council member for the Churchill Ward, which includes Wood Farm, where there have been pleas for a youth centre.

She said: "It has been an issue for us for about seven years.

"We have made our offer of funding conditional on the youth service putting an activity in the Churchill ward."

Wood Farm has ongoing problems with youths causing trouble and intimidating residents, particularly outside the Atkyns Road shops.

Last month, teenagers were featured in a film saying they were bored and frustrated with nothing to do, and wanted better youth activities.

Mrs Chapman said: "I think our youth workers do a good job with the funds they have and I personally think it may be the case that they deserve more. It is part of our manifesto that we will provide grants for youth facilities and they could include summer play schemes.

"I have children myself and I will be trying to win the hearts and minds of other councillors to get youth services improved."