The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced £160,000 of new funding to train adults working with young people to better support those who have fallen victim to crime.

The Trusted Youth Allies pilot will give young people in Croydon, Enfield, Newham, Lambeth and Southwark the chance to speak to a trusted adult – such as a teacher, youth worker or faith leader – if they have become a victim of crime.

The new Trusted Youth Allies pilot1, developed and delivered by Groundwork London2, will bring together professionals from a wide range of backgrounds and sectors and include school teachers, youth workers, social workers, youth justice services, community figures, faith groups, parents and carers.

It follows the work being done by Sadiq’s Violence Reduction Unit which is pioneering an approach to tackling violence that is rooted in prevention and early intervention – and already funding skilled youth workers in custody suites in all 12 of the Met’s Basic Command Units, and in A&E departments and major trauma centres across the capital.

Since the Mayor set up London's VRU – the first of its kind in England and Wales – in 2019, there has been a 25 per cent reduction in homicides, 15 per cent fall in knife injury of a person under-25, and a 26 per cent reduction in robbery. With the Mayor's support, the VRU has provided positive opportunities for 150,000 young people over the last two years and is funding additional youth workers and mentors, more support for families and local communities, and programmes inside and outside school hours to divert young people away from violence and towards employment.

The scheme will provide resources and training to ensure trusted adults working with young people can have open and honest conversations with young victims of crime, help them get the support they need and increase their confidence to report crime.

The Mayor is committed to doing all he can to support young Londoners by listening to and understanding their concerns, which is why his targeted investment in the Trusted Youth Allies pilot project is directly helping young people who have experienced crime.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I'm determined to do everything I can to keep young people safe. This new pilot in key London boroughs seeks to give young people the chance to speak to a trusted adult when they or someone they know becomes or is at risk of being a victim of crime.

“It builds on the pioneering work of my Violence Reduction Unit which recognises the vital difference a trusted adult relationship can make in a young person’s life and is part of my approach to tackling the complex causes of crime to build a safer London for everyone.”

Obadiah Emaru, Programme Manager at Groundwork London, said: “We are passionate about this journey with MOPAC, building upon Groundwork London's proven track record of making a positive impact working with young adults in areas such as achievement coaching, mental health and wellbeing. In recognising that a significant number of young victims of crime remain silent, our mission at the Trusted Youth Allies is clear: to empower trusted adults with essential skills like active listening and emotional support so every young person who needs help has someone to talk to. Together we can listen, support and empower to ensure that no young person faces the challenges of crime alone.”

Samantha Boyce, Head of London’s Children & Young People’s Victim & Witness Service, said: “As the main support service available for young victims in London, we are very pleased to be working alongside Groundwork London to help improve the service’s accessibility. We are keen to encourage access directly or through referrals or signposting to our Children & Young People’s Victim and Witness Service that might result from the improved support Trusted Youth Allies can give to young victims.”

Alexa Loukas, London Regional Manager for Crimestoppers, said: “Crimestoppers is committed to working with MOPAC and partners to help keep young Londoners safe.  

“Through our dedicated youth service, Fearless, we offer a safe and secure way for young people to give information about crime without ever having to reveal their identity.

“We’re looking forward to supporting the Trusted Youth Allies pilot, upskilling London youth workers and professionals about the service Fearless provides, breaking down the barriers around ‘snitching’ and building young peoples confidence to speak up 100% anonymously to help keep their communities safe.” Photo by U.S. Embassy London, Wikimedia commons.