Targeted Youth outreach services in each of Cleveland’s four boroughs have been funded by the OPCC until 2025.
Services aim to curb antisocial behaviour (ASB) in some of the area’s worst trouble spots.
Youth workers also aim to target some of Cleveland’s most vulnerable young people and safeguard them from harm in their communities.
In many of the areas, where teams operate, drug taking, public drunkenness, crime and ASB have become normalised.
Services aim to prevent young people from being drawn into crime and ASB. They also try to equip them with the skills to protect themselves from exploitation and potential harm.
By encouraging young people to explore positive interests including music, dance and sport, youth workers aim to divert them from becoming involved in the risky behaviours, which lead to ASB and crime.
They also share information about young people at risk and make referrals to the relevant services to safeguard the most vulnerable.
Often youth workers meet young people “on their own turf,” providing help, advice and support to young people as they patrol the streets, parks and shopping parades of Cleveland.
In 2022-23 alone, youth outreach teams made 8,942 contacts with young people across Cleveland.
The areas 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.
OPCC investment in targeted youth outreach services is worth £444,000 over three years.
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 run the service in each of the four boroughs on behalf of the OPC
Targeted youth outreach is just one part of the PCC’s multi-agency approach to curbing ASB.
