ISHALL never forget my first meeting as an MP in 2001 with our local police chief at that time, Superintendent Suzette Davenport.

I asked what she was doing about punishment for anti-social behaviour among the young and she gave me a rocket for not approaching the problem from the correct direction.

Why do young people offend she asked and then gave me the answer which we should be addressing – boredom with few opportunities and few ambitions if they have failed at school and have little prospect for employment.

Some solutions are appearing and I had the privilege of opening another in Kidderminster last Friday. Motov8 is a charity run by Rev Mark Badger which, with Kidderminster College, runs a motor vehicle training facility for young people outside mainstream education.

This is an inspired choice considering the interest of young people in motor vehicles and is already very successful in Worcester and Hereford. They deliver motor vehicle training to Entry to Employment learners with the aims of advancing education, reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, promoting citizenship and increasing life chances, enhancing self-awareness and improving opportunities for employment.

These are excellent aims and the unit in Worcester has about 180 students and now our own unit is taking off. Motov8 has already won prestigious awards from the Institute of the Motor Industry. Many congratulations to Mark, the staff and students for their achievements, to Kidderminster College for seeing the potential of Motov8 and to the OFP Road Safety Project, the Community Safety Partnership and NHS Worcestershire for contributing to the funding.

The 15th RoadPeace European Service of Remembrance for Road Victims was held at St Ambrose Church, Kidderminster last Sunday. I felt there were more people at the service this year presenting dedications on oak leaves and lighting candles in memory of their lost family members. Sadly there will have been further fatalities but also more people are prepared to take this opportunity to support RoadPeace and its aims. To find out more about RoadPeace write to PO Box 2579, London, NW10 3PW. A local group meets at Holy Innocents Church Hall and the next meeting will be on December 10 at 8pm.

I have visited two more of our primary schools. At Sutton Park Primary School I was delighted to see their new school nearing completion. All are thrilled with the stunning building, with many design features from the staff and children, due for occupation on December 14. However one of the head teacher’s concerns is that the Nursery Language Unit for children between three and five has only 16 places. Children come from as far away as Tenbury as this is the only unit in a wide area that provides this desperately needed service. At St John’s Primary School they are battling to come out of special measures. They are receiving good support from the local authority and walking around the school I did not get the feeling of a failing school with bright, happy, well-behaved children. I am facing their sixth form soon and was threatened with taxing questions at my planned visit.

Dr Richard Taylor.

Dr Taylor can be contacted by writing to him at 137 Franche Road, Kidderminster DY11 5AP. Telephone 01562 753333.