Alice Murray, Westminster City Council and Lauren Small, Inclusion

Funded by European Commission Justice Department Partners: Municipality of Pescara, Region on Abruzzo, Progetti Sociali (Italy), Municipality of Cordoba (Spain), City of Westminster, Inclusion (UK) Common aim to devise measures to tackle serious youth violence across EU towns/cities Focus on local engagement and transferable solutions Inclusion and Westminster worked together to produce anti- violence campaign for the borough

 Residents at both ends of the wealth spectrum - some of the richest and most deprived communities  33,000 young people aged 0-15 (14% of the population)  10,500 young people aged  189 Westminster residents aged 18 and under were convicted of an offence  Approximately 118 young people have been identified as being involved in gangs in Westminster

Following an escalation in youth violence and rise in community concern, Westminster City Council developed the ‘Your Choice’ programme: Four themes:

Your Choice Programme Manager Co- ordinator Analyst 3 x Gang Workers ASB Caseworker Young Person’s Advocate 0.5 Probation Officer Police Sergeant MPS Funded 3 x Police Constables MPS Funded PoliceCouncil Gang Exit Programme Conflict Mediation Family SupportFreshStart Commissioned Services Other Police Teams Youth Offending Service Locality Young People’s Services Schools Youth Clubs Neighbourhood Crime Reduction Service Aligned Services Growing Against Gangs & Violence Safe & Secure Integrated Gangs Unit

 Reducing youth violence in Westminster  Reducing overall offending by youths in Westminster (non- violent offences)  Reducing gang affiliation of those who participate in Your Choice  Reducing community concern about gangs and serious youth violence in Westminster Mantra: Cross border, cross agency, cross age range

 Outreach sessions in local youth clubs  Brainstorming sessions on the key campaign messages and materials  Sessions with professionals to generate materials graphic designers and music producers and some media training  Residential weekend to finalise campaign ideas and to give the young people experience of team working through fun activities  Campaign launch week

New skills Web development Graphic design Music/video production Team working Community engagement Accreditation Duke of Edinburgh award components Future opportunities Work experience with project partners Community engagement opportunities (youth forum, youth council, police ward panel)

 Audio tracks  Radio adverts  Radio interviews  Leaflets for young people, for parents and for professionals  Posters  Magazine adverts  Three short campaign films for the website  The website: