"Tough Love" Fund to Support Vulnerable Teens

Labour's Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has announced a £100m fund aimed at keeping kids off the streets and deterring them from gangster lifestyles. Speaking at the Labour conference in Liverpool, Ms Cooper promised to open 92 youth hubs stocked with mental health support staff and neighbourhood police officers. The youth workers will provide assistance to at-risk teenagers, helping to prevent them from joining drug gangs.

Recognizing the Growing Vulnerability of Teenagers

Ms Cooper highlighted that young people have been let down by the current government, which has failed to address the increasing vulnerability that many teenagers face. Factors such as county lines gangs, harmful content on social media, and the impact of the pandemic have contributed to the need for urgent interventions to prevent young people from getting involved in crime or exploitation.

Support from Local Authorities and Experts

The Young Futures Programme and the establishment of youth hubs will be developed in collaboration with local council leaders and youth mental health experts. The aim is to provide targeted support to the most at-risk individuals and help them access the necessary assistance. The primary focus of the program will be on tackling knife crime, but it will expand to other areas such as education and careers.

According to Crest, a think tank, there are currently 200,000 children who are vulnerable to serious violence. Last year saw the highest number of people killed with a knife in over 70 years, with the largest increase occurring among male teenagers aged 16-17.