To help prevent children and young people from getting involved in a life of crime, Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has provided a further £671,194 investment into The Children Society’s Climb project.
This brings the PCC’s total investment to over £1.2million for the life-changing project which is an early prevention and intervention scheme aimed at stopping young people from being exploited by criminals.
The latest round of funding from the PCC has allowed the project to be extended for the year 2024/25, with a summer workshop programme currently taking place.
The PCC recently took part in one of Climb’s workshops to speak with the managers of the project, as well as the young people taking part to understand the impact the prevention work is having on their lives.
PCC John Campion said: “Young people are victims of crime, not criminals, and they are being exploited on a far too regular basis within West Mercia.
“The Climb project continues to have a profound impact on the next generation, allowing them to have direction for their future and allowing them to contribute to their communities. I have seen the evidence of this work first-hand and it is encouraging to see the impact the project has.
“I believe prevention programmes such as Climb provide young people with the education that they fundamentally need to understand the dangers of criminal exploitation, whilst also being given a safe space to explore new skills.”
Georgia Boyce, Climb Service Manager, said: “Climb see the impact every day of early intervention and are pleased that the OPCC has offered a further year of funding for this.
“This allows us to extend support to vulnerable children under 10, and to also work with parents, who are key to preventing the exploitation of their children.
“Providing the earliest intervention is crucial in helping to prevent the criminal exploitation of children.
“The importance of diversionary activities for all ages, cannot be underestimated, and we see the impact in children’s lives of them finding activities where they see their value, build a community and get to hope for the future.”
A self-referral can now be made for young people aged between 10-17, if you are concerned they are at risk of criminal exploitation – Climb | The Children’s Society (childrenssociety.org.uk)