LONDON’S VIOLENCE Reduction Unit (VRU)  is investing £3million in a series of programmes aimed at steering young people away from violent crime.

The VRU aanounced plans to increase the number of intervention coaches based in police custody.

Intervention coaches play a key role in helping steer young people from violence. Since April 2020 intervention coaches in the London boroughs of Camden, Enfield, and Redbridge have worked with more than 300 young people between the ages 10 of 18 who have been detained in police custody suites.

New plans will see four additional boroughs – Brixton, Croydon, Lewisham, and Wembley – received funding for the placement of juvenile intervention coaches in local custody suites.

Investment

The VRU will also invest money to expand its ENGAGE programme aimed at provide help and opportunities for young people.

The programme involves specially trained youth workers, embedded in custody suites, who work closely with young people following their arrest at what is known as a ‘reachable moment’.

They provide long-term support and advice that can lead to education, training, apprenticeships, and employment possibilities for young people.

ENGAGE sits alongside the DIVERT programme, which involves custody intervention coaches working with young adults aged 18-25. VRU funding has meant coaches are now in place across all 12 of the Met’s Basic Command Units, allowing greater capacity to support more young people away from violence.

Guidance

Over the last two years, coaches have helped nearly 1,900 young adults with ongoing support, information and guidance, while almost 450 directly took up opportunities in education, training or employment.

Abdulkadir Arshe, ENGAGE youth and community worker, said: “Our goal with ENGAGE is to provide a service to young people whilst they are in custody through teachable and reachable moments and let young people know we are there to help and support.

“We look to complete plans with our young people but also include the whole family who also have an input as this recognises the whole family approach. We offer various interventions with young people which range from completing peer pressure work to gang awareness work. When appropriate we can also signpost young people to other agencies such as sexual health if there is a need and also look for innovative ways to support family if they are in crisis or further work is needed.”

‘Preventable’

Lib Peck, Director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, said: “We believe violence is preventable, not inevitable. Our approach to tackling violence is rooted in prevention and early intervention, and is focused on reducing it both now and in the long-term.

“Young people have told us about the importance of a trusted, adult relationship and that’s why we’re so invested in supporting youth workers and boosting capacity across London, because the role they play can be literally life-changing.

“We’re increasing investment to expand the ENGAGE programme across four other areas of London so that more specialist coaches are able to make crucial interventions at what is a critical moment in a young person’s life. We’ve seen the impact it has and it’s really important we make that connection and ensure young people know they can access both ongoing support and positive opportunities.” 

Intervention

Detective Superintendent Brittany Clarke, of the Met’s Violent Crime Taskforce, said: “Intervention is key in diverting young people away from violence, and we know that our custody suites are an opportune moment to give support to a young person when they need it most.

“Violence cannot be solved by policing alone – this initiative is a prime example of agencies coming together with a shared goal of steering young people away from crime and onto a more positive path.”