Four expert teams have been commissioned to lead the fight to prevent youth violence and antisocial behaviour in Cleveland over the next three years.
Police and Crime Commissioner Steve Turner will invest £148,000 a year in Targeted Youth Outreach services. They will work directly with young people at-risk of committing crime or antisocial behaviour (ASB.)
Youth Outreach involves a street-based team of experienced and trained youth workers. They deliver a range of early intervention, diversionary, education, and positive activities in a specific location.
New teams announced
After a successful procurement process, the following organisations have been awarded a three-year contract.
They will deliver youth services in their respective areas:
- Belle Vue Centre – Hartlepool
- Cornerhouse Project – Stockton-On-Tees
- The Junction – Middlesbrough
- Streetz Team – Redcar and Cleveland
Each service will receive £37,000 a year to work in areas identified as being hotspots for youth ASB and crime.
For the first time in Cleveland, the PCC will directly commission these services. Cleveland Police’s Neighbourhood Policing teams will determine areas in need of expert intervention.
PCC Steve Turner said: “Solving the problem of youth ASB and crime does not have one simple solution – it requires a layered approach.
“Part of that is engaging with young people at-risk of entering the criminal justice system and giving them positive interactions that help them make better choices in the future.
“I’m delighted to have these four experienced providers on board for the next three years. They know exactly how to deliver interventions that will help young people turn away from behaviour that will get them in trouble.
“Of course these interventions are paired with ongoing work by police and local authorities to tackle ASB through enforcement.
“I’ll be monitoring levels of ASB closely over the coming 12 months to see what impact is being made.”
Steve’s accelerated his commitment to tackling the causes of ASB over the last six months.
Recently he announced that seven community groups will be sharing over £30,000 to deliver innovative, short-term ideas to tackle ASB in their area.