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Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott says three schemes aimed at keeping young people safe have ‘triumphed’ across the county, helping thousands of children and teenagers in the last year.
One of these initiatives is the PCC-funded Collaborate Digital schools programme, which educates young people about healthy relationships and online safety. Alongside this, two other projects focus on raising awareness among youngsters about the dangers of county lines, gangs and knife crime.
Collaborate Digital has already visited 41 schools, engaging nearly 5,500 children aged 9 to 14. Students participate in assemblies and some are encouraged to create podcasts that promote safety awareness. These podcasts, which cover topics like secure passwords, appropriate online behaviour, and bullying, are shared with their peers to extend the reach of the safety message.
In addition to online safety efforts, the PCC funds a specialised scheme to support vulnerable children and young people at risk of criminal exploitation and county lines. The charity Catch22 develops personalised programmes for each individual, while also working with their families to help them cope with and recover from the impact of exploitation.
Last year alone, Catch22 assisted 169 children and young people in Kent and Medway, 60 per cent of whom had complex needs. The outcomes have been promising, with 18 young people returning to education and 24 leaving the service with positive results. Every participant reported feeling more confident in their ability to make positive changes in their lives due to the guidance they received.
“I’m so proud we can fund and support these organisations, who contribute such valuable messaging in our schools and to our youngsters. Catch 22 works with some of the most vulnerable children and young people in the county and their support is making a huge difference, not just to the young people themselves but to their families and communities as well.”
Matthew Scott, Kent Police and Crime Commissioner.
The PCC also funds a series of diversionary and preventative school sessions delivered by St. Giles Trust, which focus on county lines and knife crime. These sessions, led by practitioners with real-life experience, have reached more than 5,200 children from primary age to secondary school and pupil referral units.
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