A PCC-funded service aimed at combatting antisocial behaviour and supporting some of the most vulnerable young people in Cleveland’s communities is going from strength to strength.
Youth outreach services cover all four Cleveland boroughs. They are funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for three years, starting in 2022.
Last year, teams made 8,942 contacts with young people across Cleveland while targeting specific ASB and crime hotspots in each borough. Hotspots targeted included:
- Hemlington and Berwick Hills/Pallister Park, in Middlesbrough;
- Stockton town centre;
- Kirkleatham and Greater Eston, in Redcar and Cleveland;
- Belle Vue, Hartlepool Marina and Summerhill, in Hartlepool.
Cleveland Police’s Neighbourhood teams highlight areas most in need of expert intervention to the service.
The targeted approach to reducing antisocial behaviour
Targeted youth outreach is just one part of the PCC’s multi-agency approach to curbing antisocial behaviour and safeguarding some of the area’s most vulnerable young people.
The service aims to prevent young people from being drawn into crime and antisocial behaviour.
It also aims to equip young people with the skills to protect themselves from exploitation and potential harm.
According to Stockton provider The Corner House Youth Project, the service is going “from strength to strength.”
A Spokesperson for The Corner House Youth Project said: “We have taken a handful of young people involved in the most antisocial behaviour and investigated their interests
“We have found ways for them to explore their interests such as music, basketball and football. The young people visibly appreciate the time taken to explore this.
“We have also been sharing partnership intelligence forms. We’ve also been making referrals which have allowed us to safeguard very vulnerable young people.
“We appreciate we cannot always prevent young people from taking part in risky behaviour so we need to equip them with the knowledge to be as safe as possible.
“We have noticed a definite change in some young people’s behaviour, with improved respect towards members of the public.
“We have also witnessed an improvement in accountability for actions, such as the young people addressing with their peers when they do not agree with their unacceptable behaviour.”
Targeted Youth Outreach centres on a street-based team of experienced youth workers. They deliver a range of early interventions, diversionary, education, and positive activities in a specific location.
A layered approach
Cleveland PCC Steve Turner said: “Solving the problem of youth antisocial behaviour (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 – or taking part in ASB – and giving them positive interactions to help them make better choices in the future.
“Of course, these interventions are paired with ongoing work by police and local authorities to tackle ASB through enforcement.”
The OPCC awarded three-year contracts for targeted youth outreach services last year.
They were awarded to the Belle Vue Centre, in Hartlepool, the Corner House Youth Project, in Stockton-On-Tees, The Junction, in Middlesbrough and the Streetz Team in Redcar and Cleveland.