Vulnerable young children and young people who are most likely to be drawn into serious violence are benefitting from a Young Futures’ Prevention Partnership Panel.
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland (PCC) Matt Storey secured a share of £200,000 Home Office funding to support the government’s wider ‘Safer Streets’ mission to reduce serious harm, tackle crime at its roots, and restore public confidence in policing.
Delivered by Cleveland’s Unit for the Reduction of Violence (CURV), the pilot project enhances and supports the work of the Hartlepool Inclusion Panel (HIP).
It works to boost existing support services that prevent young people aged 10-17 from turning to a life of crime, antisocial behaviour (ASB) and serious violence.
By working in close partnership with Cleveland Police, Hartlepool Borough Council, the Youth Justice Service and other key partners, the panel ensures appropriate intervention and services to improve opportunities for young people across Cleveland.
Focused on early intervention, the panel supports children before they become involved in crime, targeting those who may be overlooked by existing services or do not reach the threshold of current statutory services.
This includes identifying and addressing early signs of key risks or vulnerabilities such as school exclusions/non-attendance records, exploitation and substance misuse.
CURV was one of 20 pathfinder areas chosen nationally to lead the Young Futures’ Prevention Partnership Panel pilot last year.
Its role in the trial shaped how the programme has been developed. A further £200,000 has now been secured to continue the work for 12 months from April 2026.
The panel works with local services to provide access to a range of specific interventions to suit the needs of the young person. These could include support with speech and language, mentoring and therapeutic activities.
The approach is designed to reduce demand on police and emergency services by tackling the root causes of crime.
The panel recently gained national attention with a visit from the Home Office, and it is hoped that its work will extend to other areas of Cleveland in the future.
Matt said: “The Young Futures’ Prevention Partnership Panel cements the strong partnerships already in place locally to address the precursors to crime, ASB and violence, and creates further opportunities to support children and young people, and any underlying problems they are experiencing, to help them change course and achieve their fullest potential.”
Superintendent Paul Allen, from Cleveland Police’s prevention command, said: “It’s been fantastic to be part of a pilot that can help make a real difference to vulnerable young children by steering them away from a life of crime, anti-social behaviour and serious violence.
“Introducing the panel has allowed various partners the ability to spot risks earlier, bring agencies together and put interventions in place before serious harm occurs but ultimately ensure the voices of young children are heard.
“This is an effective way to keep young people and local communities safe and reduce demand that is placed on officers.”
Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “As a council, we are committed to giving our young people the best possible start in life and any initiative that contributes to that is to be welcomed.
“The Young Futures’ Partnership Panel is playing a key role by identifying vulnerable young people so that timely action can be taken to divert them away from crime, anti-social behaviour and, in some cases, serious violence. The panel is proving to be a real success and I am pleased that funding has been secured to enable it to continue its work for a further 12 months.”
The panel meets monthly to review referrals and agree on support plans.