POLICE chiefs were today set to discuss a request to fund an Internet caf at a Fareham youth centre in a bid to crack down on juvenile nuisance.

The Genesis Centre in Locks Heath is bidding for £4,000 from the Hampshire Police Authority to help pay for the project.

The application has been backed by police officers in Park Gate who say the caf would help tackle the problem of youth crime including under-age drinking and vandalism.

Youth leaders have already secured £6,540 towards the project that would see seven computers set up with access to the Internet for supervised educational and social use.

If funding is approved by the police authority the £13,000 project could go live by December.

Hampshire County Council youth leader Maria Allen said: "We are all very excited about the Internet caf. It is a case of responding to what people want in the area and this is certainly something we believe will be very popular."

The youth centre is the main facility for young people across the western wards but has in the past come under heavy criticism for being under used.

It is hoped interest in the centre will be boosted if the Internet project goes ahead and forecasts are predicting up to 400 young people aged between 10 and 25 will be accessing the facility.

Fareham councillor Arthur Mandry has also put his weight behind the project

He said: "The project certainly needs supporting as it would be of huge advantage to the young people who could access the Internet, particularly for educational needs.

"That has got to be a good thing not only for the children but for the community as well," he said.

As reported in Tuesday's Daily Echo Fareham police have joined forces with the town council to clamp down on nuisance crime by looking at causes of the problem rather than simply punishing offenders.

Cllr Arthur Mandry added: "I am glad to see the police are considering supporting this project, as it would certainly help in their efforts tackling the problem of juvenile nuisance."