West Midlands charity steers thousands of children away from crime
St Giles Trust has helped just over 5,000 children and young people at risk or experiencing child criminal exploitation last year.
Last updated 6th Dec 2024
A charity in the West Midlands says it is working hard to break the cycle of youth violence and child criminal exploitation.
Since 2016, St Giles Trust has been running projects aimed at supporting thousands of people across the region facing these issues, through one-to-one support, advice and guidance sessions and group work.
St Giles Trust Midlands regional development manager Jade Hibbert says it's important help is there for those who need it, and these young people don't feel isolated.
She said: "Last year, we worked with just over 5,000 children and young people who were either at risk, or were experiencing harm of child criminal exploitation.
"It's really important that those children and young people understand that they are not alone, but breaking the cycle of youth violence and criminal exploitation is hard, it's difficult.
"What we now need is commitment from leaders everywhere to tackle this issue, and we need action from senior leaders across the country so we can work together to be able to reduce this."
According to the NSPCC website, child criminal exploitation happens when children or young people are manipulated of coerced into committing crimes.
Data from the Youth Endowment Fund charity showed mentoring programmes lead to an average 21% reduction in violence, a 14% decrease in all offending, and a 19% reduction in reoffending rates.
The charity says it works closely with partners such as the police, to tackle topics including knife crime, youth violence, and county lines across the area.