LIBERAL Democrat councillors representing communities in west York have been criticised for not attending a public meeting to discuss youth crime and antisocial behaviour.

Residents slammed the Liberal Democrats representing Holgate, Westfield and Dringhouses for failing to turn up.

Chapelfields resident Ian Noble, who has been the victim of antisocial behaviour, said he was "disgusted" by their non-appearance.

"They should have expressed more of an interest," he said.

More than 200 residents of the Acomb, Holgate and Foxwood areas of the city packed the highly-charged meeting in Acomb Parish Hall on Saturday.

York MP Hugh Bayley was prompted to organise it as the area has witnessed a worrying rise in the number of serious attacks on residents by youngsters.

Rosie Wall, chairman of Chapelfields Residents' Association, said she was also disappointed at the councillors' no-show, asking: "Where are the councillors for Westfield ward?"

Acomb Labour councillor David Horton told the meeting: "I will leave you to judge why they are not here."

But Westfield councillor and council leader Steve Galloway has defended their non-appearance.

"This was a meeting organised by the Labour party, and we made it clear we had already scheduled a meeting for the non-political ward committees in the west of the city," he said.

"We feel that they are the best forums with which to discuss issues of antisocial behaviour, and all the relevant organisations are represented at the meetings. We have invited Mr Bayley to the ward committee meetings."

Meanwhile, residents got the chance at the meeting to grill representatives from York Police, magistrates, local schools and City of York Council's youth services.

A member of Oaklands Residents' Association called for young thugs to be publicly named to shame their parents into doing something about them.

"We have hardened criminals in our area from seven upwards," she said.

Dorianne Butler, chair of the York Bench of Magistrates, told the meeting: "We do care very much and listen to each case individually.

"We know the best possible sentence and outcome to satisfy justice."

Paul Herring, head of the council's youth service, told the meeting. "There are a significant number of youngsters in this city who don't cause trouble.

"We are not about policing the streets but about supporting young people."

Updated: 11:20 Monday, February 23, 2004