A new scheme has been launched to help keep children and young people safe on their journey to and from school and the Trust has joined several other stakeholders, in partnership with the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), in this community project, called ‘Step Together’.

Now in its second year, the Trust, are currently working with a college and a secondary academy to help stamp out unwanted behaviour, anti-social behaviour and bullying whilst signposting to safe areas or organisations and acting as trusted adults and points of contacts for students, the general public and local business holders and service providers with an aim to de-escalate potential violence and to build positive relationships.

Trust chaperones operate along routes identified as high-risk areas and where chaperone presence can have most impact in increasing safety and ultimately ensuring students are in school.

The Violence Reduction Unit is funded by the Home Office and is hosted by the Police and Crime Commissioner. It was launched in late 2019 to help organisations work together effectively to tackle the root causes of violence and ultimately keeping children safe