East Sussex County Council's Youth Offending Team and youth workers from the Youth Development Service, has joined up with Sussex Police and Lewes District Council in a bid to keep young people safe and out of trouble.
Operation Stay Safe is a national initiative which has been introduced following a successful pilot in Merseyside. Police officers, PCSOs, the youth offending team, and youth workers patrol the streets during the evenings and talk to young people.
The idea is to check they are safe, that their parents or carers know where they are, and if they need any help. It aims to make sure the whole community is working together to stamp out anti-social behaviour and make parents more aware of where their children are and what they are doing.
The Youth Offending Prevention Team received money from the police's Basic Command Units fund to run the scheme.
The first two patrols will take place in Seaford on Saturday June 12 and Friday June 18 to coincide with England's first two World Cup games.
There will be six more patrols in the Lewes district area over the year.
Councillor Meg Stroude, East Sussex County Council's Lead Member for Children's Services, said: "We want young people to have fun and enjoy events like the World Cup in a safe and responsible way. This scheme is a way of offering help and advice to young people and to reduce the risk of them becoming involved in anti-social behaviour."
Inspector Katy Woolford from Lewes District Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "This is an exciting new initiative which has seen really positive results in other areas across the country. Lewes District Neighbourhood Policing Team will be working closely with the Youth Offending Team to achieve the right balance of safeguarding young people and preventing significant harm whilst allowing them to enjoy their community."
Chief Inspector Natalie Carron, the District Commander, added: "I am pleased to work with our partners to support this venture. The main concern across the district by all communities tends to revolve around perceptions of anti-social behaviour. We want everyone to enjoy themselves but not at the expense of others. "
Duncan Kentell, from the Youth Offending Team, said: "This project is great because it is about agencies working together to make sure young people and their families receive a whole package of support and advice. It serves as a reminder to parents that they should be keeping an eye on where their children are and what they are doing and helps to keep young people safe."
The Youth Offending Team's Early Intervention and Prevention staff will also offer advice and support to families of young people where it is needed.
For more about the work the Youth Offending team does visit our Youth offending section.
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