GANG culture and violence normally associated with inner cities is on the increase in Taunton.

That's the view of youth volunteer Paul Nicholls who runs Taunton Youth 4 Sport.

He claims to know of two groups - the Galmington Massive and the Hal-con Fight Club - and says they regularly clash because the teenagers have nothing better to do.

He comes from a city where gangs are common and says that Taunton is quickly following suit.

Mr Nicholls told the County Gazette this week: "There is a real gang culture developing in Taunton at the moment and I believe it is because there is very little for the young people to do in the town.

"I run a youth sports service, but one of the groups of 12 to 15-year-olds are no longer allowed inside the YMCA where we meet on Monday nights, following an incident a few weeks ago.

"Many of them have told me that if they can't use the club they will just roam the streets getting into fights etc because there is nothing else for them to do.

"With the amount of violence that is now happening in Taunton, it is getting like a city.

"I have asked for help from the Youth Service, but they just don't seem to want to give the group any backing," he added.

"I feel they should be doing something to help before things get any worse."

Despite Mr Nicholls' concerns, the police say there is not a major problem with gangs in the area.

A spokesman said this week: "We are aware of some groups and there is a possibility they may have been in-volved in some assaults which have been filmed on mobile phones recently, along with some graffiti.

"However we do not consider gangs to be a significant problem in Taun-ton."

The Youth Service, which is run by Somerset County Council, has said it is doing whatever it can to help young people.

A spokesman told the County Gaz-ette: "Somerset County Council is currently working with Taunton Deane Borough Council, Taunton YMCA and YMCA England to develop a new provision for young people in the town which would incorporate all the facilities which TY4S require to undertake their activities."