PCC secures funding for youth activities which benefit hundreds of young people at risk of serious violence

Hundreds of children and young people are benefitting from a programme of youth work being delivered across the county to prevent involvement in serious violence.   

Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston has used government funding to support a raft of targeted youth work schemes across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to tackle vulnerability and reduce the risk of young people engaging in serious violence and anti-social behaviour (ASB).  

Activities being delivered through these sessions range from music recording and street art through to football sessions and skateparks - all aimed at connecting with young people through the types of positive activities they enjoy helping them make safe choices.  

The investment follows the introduction of the Serious Violence Duty in January 2023 which requires organisations to work together to reduce and prevent serious violence by focusing on the root causes of offending as part of a ‘prevention over cure’ strategy.  In line with the Duty, the PCC has supported multiple youth projects across the county which are successfully challenging and addressing risk-taking behaviour.  

Darryl said: “This investment focuses on preventing violence before it happens. Engaging with young people at the earliest opportunity allows them to be diverted away from crime and serious violence and instead make positive choices. 

“It is vital we provide the necessary infrastructure in our communities to positively channel the energy and emotions of our young people. These leisure-based, creative arts and sport-related activities are helping build resilience and self-confidence while improving access to trusted adults who provide support when it’s needed.” 

Projects being delivered include:  

• Youth work and primary school outreach in Cambridgeshire. Youth work provider Romsey Mill is delivering weekly sessions in communities in three areas across Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire. Specialist youth workers engage with young people aged 11 to 17 in a variety of ways, providing a supervised space for young people and one-to-one outreach to small cohorts of primary school-age children in years 5 and 6.  To date, this project has supported over 250 young people.   

Louise Willerton, Anti-Social Behaviour Officer for Cambridge City Council, said: “The work Romsey Mill does is fantastic and has impacted, and continues to impact, young people across our county in such a positive and life changing way.”  

• Youth work and primary school outreach in Peterborough: Two Serious Youth Violence Workers have been recruited into Peterborough City Council to deliver a project in areas of Peterborough with a local problem-solving group set up to help identify where the project is most needed. 

• Targeted youth work in Peterborough: Romsey Mill is also delivering this project with young people aged 13 to 18 through a range of activities including music groups and football sessions. Youth workers have positively intervened to divert young people away from criminality and supported vulnerable people already in the justice system to find work. To date, nearly 100 young people have been supported by the project.   

• Trusted Adult Scheme: A range of partners are delivering diversionary activities with young people at risk of violence. These include drop-in sessions at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge providing opportunities for young people to engage with trusted adults in a safe space. Sessions include street art workshops which look at strategies young people can use to support their mental health and music recording workshops, as well as other sessions.  

The positive impact of the Trusted Adult Scheme programme is already being felt. Through the development of their skills on the scheme, young people are exploring opportunities in higher education and employment.  

Rebecca Cooke, Deputy Designated Nurse for Safeguarding People on behalf of NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System (ICS), said: “Our local health services can play a pivotal role in helping to reduce and prevent serious youth violence. By forging this partnership with health services, the Trusted Adult Scheme has now incorporated the health element into its framework, ensuring a holistic approach to youth safety and well-being.”