Conservative Press Release: The local Conservatives will invest in 6 new youth centres to provide more opportunities for young people and help deter them from crime, if they are elected in May’s elections.
Expanding youth services to reach more youngsters in the city will help drive down knife crime and get kids off the streets.
And as part of their double-pronged approach to dealing with children’s mental health and youth crime, the Conservatives want all staff and volunteers at those new centres to pass Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses. This would help staff spot early signs of mental health problems, that could then be worked on with a health care professional.
Research shows that gang-affiliation and poor mental health are closely linked. Young people with mental health problems are more likely to be groomed into joining criminal activities.
The Conservatives want to combat this with investment into youth centres to protect children from the risks posed by gang involvement and mental health problems.
Cllr Alex Walker, Leader of the Conservative Group, said:
“The link between youth crime and mental health is proven and more must be done to provide the support our young people need so that they can fulfil their full potential.
“That’s why we’re pledging to invest in 6 new youth centres to ensure they are supported and have safe spaces away from the streets.
“We will look at innovative ways of delivering the new centres, working with the private sector and schools in a combined effort to boost mental health and reduce youth crime.”
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