APCC response to the report by the Children's commissioner
APCC Serious Violence Lead and PCC for West Yorkshire, Mark Burns Williamson OBE, said:
“I welcome the report by the Children’s Commissioner, entitled 'Teenagers falling through the gaps' and share her concerns around young people falling through the gaps exacerbated by the economic impact of COVID-19.
“PCCs are working closely with many partner organisations to support the more vulnerable in society and help divert them away from a life of potential crime and exploitation. Indeed, our funding and establishment of multi-agency violence reduction units (VRUs) is providing a key strategic response to address and tackle the complex and long term issues of serious violence, which often blights the lives of victims and families in our communities.
“We will continue to work with the Children’s Commissioner, schools, local authorities, safeguarding partnerships and the wider community safety family to develop a plan to identify, support and re-engage these ‘at risk’ teenagers to prevent them from becoming ‘invisible’ and lost to society.”