LIBERAL Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell described Dawlish's youth as enthusiastic and keen after he paid a flying visit to the town on Wednesday last week.

It was part of his We Can Cut Crime Campaign, ahead of the local elections in May, and he said he thought Teignbridge was the place to see initiatives on the matter. At Youthtopia, he met teenagers and enjoyed a lively exchange.

Seventeen-year-old Michael Tutty initially questioned Sir Menzies on his Olympic sporting credentials, but more seriously spoke on the benefits of the youth service. 'We'd be on the streets if it wasn't for the youth club,' he said. 'There's not much else to do in Dawlish.'

And when he asked for £1 million still needed to build a skate park and improved youth centre in the town, Sir Menzies told him that if he had it, he would donate it for the project straight away. Mr Tully added that there should be more funding for youth and sports facilities. Sir Menzies also met with Dawlish's community safety wardens and police, but a planned walkabout had to be cancelled after prime minister Tony Blair's announcement to withdraw troops from Iraq that lunchtime, which delayed his visit.

A private meeting followed with the police, probation service and the voluntary and youth sectors, which Sir Menzies described afterwards as 'very lively, with a lot of well-informed comment'. 'There's no better way to find out what's happening than to come to somewhere like Dawlish,' he said.

'It was very interesting at the local youth club, which I thought was absolutely fascinating. I mean, you just go into these places and quite often they all stand around not saying anything, but it was crash, bang, wallop and very good fun. 'Those I met were enthusiastic and keen. There's a lot of bright young people and we need to find a way to make sure that their properties are utilised in terms of jobs, recreation and sport.

'People who think constructively, behave in a constructive way,' he said. Regarding Dawlish and the Warren during the summer when the population swells to more than 40,000 and there are no police to cover it, Sir Menzies said the police should be doing what they are paid for, which is to be on the streets and not filling in forms.

'We've got to try and reduce the amount of bureaucracy,' he said. On reducing anti-social behaviour, Sir Menzies thought the trick was to get hold of kids 'before they cross the line'.

He said: 'For example, at Newcastle, they've introduced a system of "behaviour contracts", where young people at risk of falling into a pattern of wrongdoing are identified and spoken to. 'You need to make sure you have a mechanism that prevents things from going too far.' The mayor of Dawlish, Cllr Tom Bush, said: 'I felt like it put Dawlish on the map. His office contacted me afterwards and described his visit as "slick".'

'I think the town put on a very good show and Sir Menzies said he was impressed with what he saw and heard.'