Greenwich’s youth services are facing the second steepest cuts in the capital amid warnings that vital services are “withering away”.

New research by the co-leader of the Green Party Sian Berry reveals that London’s councils have closed 104 children’s centres and projects since 2011.

The London Assembly member’s work has also revealed 46 per cent of funding has been cut in that time too, with a fresh round of scale-backs planned for this year.

Greenwich Council has the second highest cuts planned in London, despite historically safeguarding services.

The authority is one in the minority to have increased funding since 2011, but the Labour council is planning to axe £489k from budgets this year.

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Ms Berry said Greenwich’s situation shows why Westminster must start offering more cash to local authorities.

“It couldn’t be clearer that the government needs to step in,” the City Hall member told our local democracy reporter.

“Things are not getting any easier for councils, even ones who have historically prioritised this area, like Greenwich.

“You can’t keep making cuts without consequences, our young people need all the help they can get today.

“Youth work is a vital service that we cannot let wither any further.”

Youth violence in the city has been rising, with 24 teenagers murdered last year.

This year, Bexley Council agreed to cut two youth outreach workers brought in after the 2016 Northumberland Heath brawl, at a cost of £25k.

The project, which ended in September and not recommissioned, was to “support the community to tackle areas of high-risk anti-social behaviour”.

Youth violence has escalated dramatically across the capital, with Greenwich Council upping its council tax in part to fund services to combat the problem.

Cllr David Gardner, cabinet member for children’s services and schools, said: “Reduction in central government funding, combined with increases in costs, means that for 2019/20, we are facing a £7.5m pressure on our budget.

“Over the past few years we have been able to protect most front line services, and we have saved money by making our back office processes more efficient, for example, by moving services online, and reducing the number of people we employ.

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“As part of a review of our youth service, there was a reduction within the management structure that has led to savings being made.

“Additionally, resources are being spent more efficiently and have shifted from solely delivering support to the young person to supporting young people as part of a family.

“We continue to maintain the same level of investment within our youth services. We are currently engaging with parents/carers, young people and practitioners to shape the offer we provide.”

The council is expecting no government grant this year compared to a total of £7m handed out between 2011 and 2018.