A total of £100,000 has been pledged to tackle issues affecting young people following the revelation that many schoolgirls suffer harassment in the street.

Part of the money will be used to set up a youth council where young people in Redbridge can raise concerns and propose how further funds should be spent.

During a meeting between young people and councillors in October, concerns were raised about mental health problems among the young, as well as personal safety when travelling to and from school.

Cllr Alan Weinberg said: “The youth service will work with the youth council to ensure that the widest variety of young people in the borough are consulted with.

“We want a good range of opinions on the areas where this money should actually be spent.

“This is an exciting opportunity for young people to be involved in democracy and to work to identify not only the issues that are pertinent to them, but how we can spend money to support them.”

The proposal was put forward at a children’s services, leisure and youth service committee meeting on December 19 and the youth council will be set up in April.