PCC uses national funding for after-school activities to help divert young people away from serious violence

Over 1,350 young people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have taken up free sports and creative arts activities as part of a multi-agency mission to reduce vulnerability to serious violence.  

Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston invited the county’s six Community Safety Partnerships to each bid for up to £16,500 of national Serious Violence Duty to deliver diversionary activity in their area during the after-school period, when youth-related violence and anti-social behaviour is more likely to occur. These youth projects are designed to reduce risk-taking behaviour and divert young people towards positive activities in their communities. 

Activities range from football sessions and open-mic events through to street art workshops and boxing training – all under the supervision of trusted adults. Many also combine sessions with one-to-one support and mentoring to boost confidence and self-esteem. 

The PCC is working with partners to implement a ‘prevention over cure’ strategy to tackle serious violence. It follows the introduction of the Serious Violence Duty in January 2023 which requires organisations to work together to reduce and prevent serious violence by tackling the root causes. 

Darryl said: “On the back of policing’s Operation Sceptre (Knife Amnesty) last week, when there is a focus on tackling knife crime, it’s also right to acknowledge that it’s not a problem which policing can tackle alone. This funding is all about unlocking potential and steering young people towards a brighter future and I am delighted so many have taken up these fantastic opportunities.  

“We know that young people do best when they are focused and engaged in positive activities that appeal to their sense of adventure while also supporting their social development and mental wellbeing – this is why many of these projects are built around sport or other leisure activities. 

“We know the early evenings, when school finishes, can be a vulnerable time for young people out on our streets. This is when they are more susceptible to being drawn into crime, anti-social behaviour or more dangerous activities that can lead to them becoming victims or perpetrators of violence. Through the delivery of free and supervised programmes, we are working hard to reduce these risks and empower young people to set higher aspirations for themselves while also trying their hand at new and fun experiences.”  

The funding has supported the following projects, through the Community Safety Partnerships operating right across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough: 

Cambridge City 

Supported by Cambridge City Council, Romsey Mill have run a range of diversionary activities for young people in Cambridge, including: 

• Weekly youth clubs for young people. 
• Weekly football sessions with the YMCA. 
• Weekly studio sessions including lyric-writing for older teens with opportunities to perform at open-mic nights. 
• One-to-one support. 

90 young people engaged with the project in 2024/25. This is in addition to some of the detached Youth Work being undertaken by Romsey Mill, in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council. 

East Cambridgeshire  

In collaboration with the East Cambridgeshire Community Safety Partnership, Cambridgeshire County Council are working with local youth clubs to support young people in two areas. Projects have included: 

• Graffiti workshops provided through a local youth club. 
• A listening service developed with ‘buddy bags’ for young people.  
• In November, 35 youngsters attended an ASB Quiz hosted by local police. 

A total 50 young people in East Cambridgeshire have been supported in 2024/25. 

Fenland  

Fenland Community Safety Partnership has been working with a range of local delivery partners to offer detached youth work and youth outreach projects:

• Nearly 300 hours of youth engagement has been delivered across three towns in Fenland, with meaningful trusted relationships formed. 
• Police have reported reduction in ASB incidents and recognise the value the youth workers provide through positive diversionary activities. 
• Young people have explored what it means to be involved with criminality and serious violence/risk-taking behaviours and have been supported to consider the long-term effects of these behaviours. 
• Conversations have taken place linked to careers, family pressures, cost-of-living, school and healthy relationships.
• Over 500 young people have been supported through this project this year.

Cllr Susan Wallwork, Fenland Community Safety Partnership chair and Fenland District Council portfolio holder for community safety, said:

“We’re committed to working closely with all our partners to support young people towards positive futures and aid in the reduction of anti-social behaviour and crime.

“We’re delighted to have been involved in the delivery of youth support work in Fenland with such tangible impact for all involved.”

Huntingdonshire  

Huntingdonshire District Council have worked with local providers to deliver detached youth work, outreach and awareness raising programmes that address both criminal and sexual exploitation: 

• Over 40 hours of direct youth work has been delivered through weekly multi-sports sessions. 
• Following delivery of detached youth work and youth outreach projects local businesses and the wider community have reported a reduction in anti-social behaviour, with young people signposted to alternative youth sessions. 
• Youth Cafes have been set up to provide a safe space for young people to socialise with trusted adults. Sessions have focused on serious violence, knife crime and county lines with almost 100 young people engaged over 20 sessions. 

Throughout 2024/25, over 300 young people have been reached through the projects. 

Peterborough 

Supported by Peterborough City Council and the Fire and Rescue Service, after-school diversionary activity has been delivered through sporting activities and the Firebreak programme.  

• Sporting activities are being delivered with at least 60 young people in the city. Three one-hour sessions are held each week, including one specifically for girls.  
• The Police Street Soccer project promotes integration and friendships among people of all backgrounds and positive relationships between young people and the police. 
• Firebreak is an intensive five-day programme delivered within an operational fire station that provides students with a chance to engage in practical and scenario-based training exercises linked to firefighting to develop key life skills and improve their confidence while also reducing their risk-taking behaviours. 

This year, nearly 300 young people have been supported through these projects, with the football sessions providing almost 2,000 individual interactions. 

South Cambridgeshire  

South Cambridgeshire District Council are supporting local providers to deliver targeted youth outreach, football and boxing sessions.

• Youth outreach sessions have been delivered with young people across the district. 
• A boxing coach has delivered weekly boxing sessions.  
• The football project provides diversionary activity for young people not currently engaged in youth work. 
• A Serious Violence Awareness Month was held at a local youth club throughout October 2024 to raise awareness about the impact of serious violence in the community. A spray-painting mural night was held to encourage young people to communicate their thoughts, feelings and reflections into images. 

Over 200 young people across South Cambridgeshire have been supported through this work.

Due to the success of these projects, additional Serious Violence Duty funding for 2025/26 will be allocated to after-school diversionary activities in each Community Safety Partnership area