Showcasing our VVU ReRoute Intervention

Essex VVU had the opportunity to present at the Essex Police Towards Excellence  Conference (West Local Policing Area) at the Port of Tilbury Cruise Terminal last week.

We took the opportunity to showcase our VVU ReRoute intervention, which works with young people aged 17 to 25 arrested for ‘trigger offences’, these include violent disorder, weapon and drug possession.

VVU ReRoute supports young people who live in Essex and have been arrested in Essex. Following a referral, a VVU practitioner makes contact within 24 hours.

During the period between arrest and a subsequent court date, young people are not automatically referred to Probation or Youth Justice services. Essex VVU ReRoute intervention was developed specifically to address this gap. Without this intervention, both the needs of these young people and the risks they may pose to themselves and their communities could escalate.

Pictured is Kirsty from Essex VVU with Blaise, a young man referred into the intervention by Essex Police. Blaise spoke eloquently and openly about his experiences – being involved in crime, distrusting authorities and making risky decisions, through to when he began turning his life around thanks to the Essex Police referral and the unwavering commitment of his Essex VVU practitioner.

Through targeted, individualised support and a young person-centred approach, Blaise was able to build a relationship with his Essex VVU practitioner which led him to address anger issues, gain qualifications and move away from crime and violence while building trust of Essex Police and authority figures.

Delegates at the conference were really interested in Blaise’s story and praised him for opening up and having the confidence to speak out on stage and be part of positive change.

For more information about Essex VVU ReRoute visit ReRoute: redirect lives, rewrite futures – Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit