Essex young people claim knife crime and gangs are top concerns
More than 1400 young people across Essex took part in the Listening Project this year
Young people across Essex are concerned about knife crime, according to a recent survey.
The Listening Project is an annual event delivered by Essex County Council for Voluntary Youth Services on behalf of the Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU), which asks teenagers across Southend, Essex and Thurrock for their views on youth violence.
The report found that knife crime is the top concern among young people for the second year running, despite there being a county wide reduction in knife crime.
Around 71% of the respondents are worried about being exploited by a gang, and over 70% have seen serious violence content on social media involving people they know in their local area.
They also reported feeling safer with their friends and being the safest while at home.
Beks Korniej, Partnership and Projects Manager at Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services, says its important for young people to get their voices heard.
She said: “What is clear is the police figures around knife crime show that it has fallen. Essex is a safe place to live generally, but what's important is to address why young people feel like this and how we can help them feel safer.
“Things that make them feel safer are CCTV in public spaces, access to a mobile phone, and just being around people they trust. We want to implement strategies to help young people be safe. We need to know directly from them what makes them feel unsafe and what they think needs to happen to help them be safer within their communities.”
The Listening Project consists of face-to-face conversations between young people and trusted leaders in youth group settings, sports groups, schools, special interest groups and detached youth work across Essex.
The report is broken down into districts, boroughs and city locations which gives a unique insight into issues young people face locally.
This local insight allows the VVU and other services to specifically tailor support and interventions according to the needs and concerns of the young people living in these areas.
The full report can be accessed here.