Hundreds of young people at risk of engaging in serious violence are benefiting from a county-wide youth programme.

Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston has used government funding to support targeted youth work schemes across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

These initiatives aim to reduce the risk of young people engaging in serious violence and anti-social behaviour.

The activities range from music recording and street art to football sessions and skateparks, all designed to connect with young people through enjoyable, positive activities.

This investment follows the introduction of the Serious Violence Duty in January 2023, which requires organisations to work together to reduce and prevent serious violence by focusing on the root causes of offending.

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Mr Preston said: “This investment focuses on preventing violence before it happens.

"Engaging with young people at the earliest opportunity allows them to be diverted away from crime and serious violence and instead make positive choices."

Among the projects being delivered is youth work and primary school outreach in Cambridgeshire.

Youth work provider Romsey Mill is delivering weekly sessions in three areas across Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire.

Specialist youth workers engage with young people aged 11 to 17, providing a supervised space and one-to-one outreach to small cohorts of primary school-age children in years 5 and 6.

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To date, this project has supported more than 250 young people.

Louise Willerton, anti-social behaviour officer for Cambridge City Council, said: “The work Romsey Mill does is fantastic and has impacted, and continues to impact, young people across our county in such a positive and life changing way.”

The Trusted Adult Scheme is also delivering diversionary activities with young people at risk of violence.

These include drop-in sessions at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, providing opportunities for young people to engage with trusted adults in a safe space.

The positive impact of the Trusted Adult Scheme programme is already being felt.