The Children’s Society responds to the Government funding £300 million to cut youth crime

“Tackling serious violence affecting young people across all areas of the country is very much needed, so we welcome this investment and the focus on prevention and early intervention with targeted wrap around support for teenagers at risk.  

“In our work we often the see frightening levels of violence in so many places is often linked to criminal groups exploiting children, including coercing and forcing them to deal drugs in county lines operations.   

“To create a long-term plan to reduce crime, we need a better understanding of offences committed against young people such as child criminal exploitation and there is also a need to focus on disrupting the criminals who are grooming these young people.

“The scale of the issue is huge and will require more investment over a longer period of time. It’s also crucial to look at the bigger picture. These young people are often facing many different challenges in their lives and so support must take a holistic approach recognising the importance of involving the young person and drawing on local knowledge when designing services, and supporting them through the trauma they have experienced.”