‘Young Futures Panels’ launch in West Yorkshire

Vulnerable young people at risk of being drawn into crime are being given the help they need through the launch of ‘Young Futures Panels’.

The panels work to identify 10- to 17-year-olds who may be falling through the net and intervene by referring them into to a range of support services much earlier.

Located in Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees and Wakefield, the multi-agency panels will be supported by the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership.      

It forms part of the Government’s ‘Plan for Change’ and mission to deliver ‘Safer Streets’. 

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said:   

This intervention will help reach our young people at that crucial moment, diverting them away from criminal gangs, serious violence, or exploitation.    

Prevention is always better than cure, and by providing support at the right time and right place, we can open up greater opportunity and help keep young people away from harm. 

Only by working together in this way can we realise ambitions to half knife crime and violence against women and girls over the next decade.

West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe OBE added:        

We cannot afford to wait for those at risk to come forward, we have to act.          

These partnership-led panels allow us to quickly identify young people in danger of being drawn into crime or serious violence and intervene before it’s too late.      

By getting to those who might otherwise remain unseen and unsupported, we can change lives and protect our communities from harm.