Flintshire and Wrexham have been chosen as one of three non-violence reduction unit (VRU) areas in the country to participate in a national pilot programme for Young Future Panels. The innovative initiative, which will also be piloted in Hertfordshire and Derbyshire, aims to proactively identify and support young people at risk of being drawn into crime and anti-social behaviour. A VRU brings together police, local government, health and education professionals, community leaders and other key partners to provide a multi-agency response to the local drivers of serious violence. They support a public health approach to tackling serious violence and its root causes.
This work is a key priority for all partners in the region, reflecting their collective commitment to supporting vulnerable and exploited young people. The selection of Wrexham and Flintshire for this pilot highlights the success of the areas in creating a strong, collaborative framework for addressing the root causes of violence, building on the excellent partnership work that has transpired from the region’s Serious Violence Strategy.
The Young Futures Panels will build on learning by providing a clear and effective pathway for multi-agency intervention, ensuring that vulnerable young people get the support they need before their vulnerability escalates.
The new panels will bring together professionals from a range of services to provide early intervention and offer a lifeline to vulnerable young people aged 10-17. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales will have a crucial role in supporting this work and in feeding into national work. This will ensure that the region’s strong partnership approach to tackling serious violence is a central part of the national learning. By connecting young people to essential support, such as mental health services, careers advice, and mentoring, the panels seek to prevent young people from falling through the gaps and to help them achieve their full potential.
Andy Dunbobbin, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, commented: “I am pleased that Wrexham and Flintshire are part of this groundbreaking pilot project to support vulnerable young people and reduce violence. Multiagency co-operation is the hallmark of how we work in North Wales, bringing together experts from across public services to support people and communities, to get to grips with an issue and to find a resolution. Our assistance for young people is no different and I am glad that this has been recognised. Reducing serious violence is a key part of my Plan for cutting crime in North Wales and I hope to see the good work of the VRU continue and to be a model for reducing crime elsewhere in the country.”
Lead member for Children’s Services at Wrexham County Borough Council, Cllr Rob Walsh, said “This pilot scheme is an excellent opportunity to enhance existing partnerships that reduce the exploitation of young people.
“This collaborative approach will ensure early identification of those at risk and timely interventions, helping to safeguard children and reduce their vulnerabilities to being involved in serious violence and crime.”
Diane Jones, Serious Violence Programme Lead at the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner said: “The fact that Wrexham and Flintshire have been chosen for this pilot reflects the hard work put in by all involved. We have achieved this through our existing strong partnerships and through building on our work to address serious violence in the region. The fact that we are participating in this pilot highlights the significance of this work and it will help inform the future direction of violence reduction strategies in other areas of the country that are not designated as VRU locations.”
The pilot is scheduled to run from October 2025 to March 2026, with the findings set to inform how the programme is developed and potentially expanded nationwide.