The warden of a Jersey church centre says he is worried youngsters are being excluded from the community. Phil Wood, from Comunicare in St Brelade, is responding to calls from residents and police trying to reduce anti-social behaviour in the area.
Mr Wood said he felt police were right to be taking more action against youngsters causing criminal damage.
But he is worried the small number of people causing the problems are giving youngsters in general a bad name.
Mr Wood said underage drinking and graffiti were an increasing problem, particularly in Les Quennevais in St Brelade.
He welcomed the sight of more officers in the area, but that balance was sometimes needed to avoid children being made to feel excluded from the community because of the actions of a minority.
Communicare organises various different activities including guitar classes, drama groups and judo which attract about 1,000 youngsters a week.