Pioneering project diverting teenagers from serious organised crime is rolled out in Cardiff

A ground-breaking programme diverting young people away from a life of serious organised crime has been rolled out in Cardiff.

Action for Children’s Serious Organised Crime Early Intervention service has been running in Glasgow since 2013 and has now launched in Cardiff, funded by £4.6 million from The National Lottery Community Fund, joining Edinburgh and Newcastle in adopting the scheme this year.

South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Alun Michael,  joined Wales National Director, Brigitte Gater and her Scottish counterpart, Paul Carberry from Action for Children, Deputy Director Dan Jones from the  Wales Violence Prevention Unit and Cabinet Member for Children & Families at Cardiff Council, Graham Hinchey to formally launch the project at Llanrumney Phoenix Boxing Club in Cardiff on 16th September.

The pioneering project is the first of its kind in the UK to use ‘peer mentors’, many themselves former young offenders, and has been shown to be effective in offering accessible role models for teenagers who have previously resisted other types of mainstream support. One teenager who had committed almost 600 offences has not reoffended since taking part in the Glasgow project.

Analysis into the programme has showed that out of 49 young people, just four continued to offend after receiving support. By diverting four ‘high risk’ young people from secure care, the project represented a saving of over half a million pounds for Glasgow City Council over six months¹.

Over a three-year period across Cardiff, Action for Children with South Wales Police and Cardiff Council, will work with families and schools in communities to target vulnerable young people on the cusp of serious organised crime such as drug supply and distribution, money laundering, stealing to order and illegal enforcement.

The service will also offer targeted support to 11 to 18-year-olds through intensive one-to-one support, peer mentoring, education and employment training.

Action for Children’s National Director for Wales, Brigitte Gater, said: ‘Serious organised crime is an issue for the whole of the UK, disproportionately impacts the more vulnerable in our communities, and has a greater presence in socially and economically disadvantaged areas. Since 2013 this project has worked intensively with more than 150 young people across Glasgow, diverting them away from a life in serious organised crime and into employment.

‘This is a very important moment for Action for Children in Wales.  We are bringing an initiative to Cardiff that has this excellent track record in making a tangible difference to the life chances of our young people.  This scheme ensures that intervention is early, targeted and provides a different pathway into training and employment opportunities.  We know what this programme can do and are delighted the National Lottery community fund is enabling us to launch it in Cardiff.’

Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales, Alun Michael, said: ‘We know beyond doubt that if we are to divert vulnerable young people away from a life of crime, we must work together and be innovative in our approach to tackle root causes.  Here in South Wales, our ground breaking work with partners around Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), highlights that the scourge of domestic violence and abuse are often in the background of vulnerability and offending – sometimes feeding into organised crime; this means that early intervention and prompt, positive action are crucial if we are to divert young people away from crime, particularly in light of the growing issue of county lines.

‘For these reasons I am delighted that we are able to work with Action for Children in Wales on this pioneering project that will help to tackle immediate issues, particularly around vulnerability and exploitation, working to a long-term aim of reducing the harm across our communities and improving the well-being of future generations in Wales.’

Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Cllr Graham Hinchey said: ‘Early intervention and support can play a vital role in helping to deter young people from a life of serious crime and engagement provided though mentors can play an invaluable part of this process.

‘Protecting our most vulnerable children and young people continues to be a priority and working with partners to deliver schemes like this has huge value in helping Cardiff’s children and young people make better choices, which will positively impact on their future.’

John Rose, Wales Director at The National Lottery Community Fund, added: ‘We know from our work funding youth led projects that great things happen when young people are in the lead. Youth led projects can have a huge impact on driving real and lasting change and we’re delighted to be able to support this incredible work thanks to money raised by National Lottery players.’