Safeguarding - Government Events

Youth Culture vs. Gang Anthems: Drill Music and its Role in Youth Representation

12 minute read

Mar 2026

David Kingsley, an Associate at Criminology Services Limited, recently took the stage at our National Tackling Gang Crime, Violence and Weapon Crime Conference 2026, where he delivered an insightful keynote on Drill music. “Today's session is not about music appreciation. It is not about defending violence. It's not about suggesting that music causes violence or crime. It's about understanding how drill music operates within certain environments, how it sometimes intersects with real world dynamics, and why it has become increasingly relevant to policing, safeguarding, and the courts.” - David Kingsley

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Behind the Statistics: Strangulation and the Reality of Violence Against Women

8 minute read

Feb 2026

Last year, violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the UK was declared a national emergency by the police. This violence is everything from domestic abuse, harassment and sexual assaults. It is estimated that 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse, and 1 in 3 women will suffer sexual assault in their lifetime. These statistics show the depth of this issue, and how important it is that changes are made to education, support and justice systems to ensure victims are protected. In 2022, new government legislation turned strangulation and suffocation from being included in charges like assault or bodily harm into stand-alone offences which can be punished accordingly. It highlighted the growing realisation that strangulation is a deep enough issue that it warrants recognition as a violent act.

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Ending Youth Homelessness: The Role of Schools and Local Councils

6 minute read

Feb 2026

Last year, around 118,000 young people presented themselves to their local authority in need of housing support. This is a worrying statistic. Yet it is one that with proactive steps, can be greatly reduced. It was one of the big topics at the recent National Homelessness Event 2026, which brought together industry experts and passionate speakers to explore how we can support the homeless and reduce the rate of people entering homelessness in the UK. It was a powerfully moving day, where great conversation, networking and learning took place. One of the stand out sessions was Stephen Elder’s case study, ‘Preventing Youth Homelessness Before It Happens – Working in Schools to Identify and Support Children at Risk’.

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The Hidden Cost of Youth Violence: What Communities Lose When Young People Slip Through the Cracks

6 minute read

Feb 2026

Youth violence is often discussed in moments of crisis. A headline. A police cordon. A court appearance. What’s rarely discussed is the costs this violence has on communities, individuals and economies. Behind every incident is usually a young person who didn’t suddenly 'go wrong', but gradually slipped through a series of cracks: in education, mental health support, youth services, housing, and community connection. The topics discussed in this article directly relate to the National Tackling Gang Crime, Violence and Weapon Crime Conference 2026, which was held on the 29th January 2026.

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Mind in Motion: How Movement Transforms Mental Health at Work

6 minute read

Jun 2025

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, conversations around mental health are no longer a luxury, they’re a necessity. At the forefront of this movement is Matt Balfour, a wellbeing content creator, public speaker, Samaritan volunteer, and the founder of Let’s Go Wellbeing. His mission is simple yet profound: to help organisations build healthier, more engaged workforces […]

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Videos

Rehabilitation & Re-offending: A Holistic Approach by Catch22

5 minute read

Sep 2024

Lisa Smitherman, Strategic Director for Justice and Education, Catch22 joined us at our National Combatting Gangs, Violence and County Lines Conference 2024. In today's society, the rehabilitation of offenders and the reduction of re-offending are critical issues. Catch 22 has taken a unique approach to address these challenges through comprehensive, community-based strategies.

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Videos

Everton Free School Crime Prevention Initiatives

4 minute read

Sep 2024

Stephen Baker, the principal of Everton Free School and Football College, and Assistant Head Andrew Pearl, are pioneering new strategies to address behavioural challenges and criminal exploitation among vulnerable youth in Liverpool. Their innovative approach integrates multi-agency collaboration and focuses on understanding and meeting the underlying needs of at-risk students.

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The Road to Online Safety Regulation: Safeguarding Children Against Sexual Harms

6 minute read

Aug 2024

A significant number of children aged 8-11 have social media profiles, with TikTok being especially popular. The study found that even younger children, some as young as three, are exposed to social media content, although this may involve watching videos with others rather than having their own accounts. This article covers some the negative impacts of this uptake including grooming and misogyny, as well as preventative measures.

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Articles

Protecting SMEs from Cybercrime: PCC Collaboration with the NEBRC

3 minute read

Aug 2024

We welcomed Joy Allen, Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham, at the Digital Policing Conference 2024, who highlighted the pivotal role of collaborative efforts in protecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the growing threat of cybercrime. Her presentation focused on the innovative initiatives undertaken by the Northeast Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC), a key player within the National Cyber Resilience Centre network.

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Articles

The Growing Cyber Threat Landscape for UK Police Forces

5 minute read

Aug 2024

Cybersecurity is a critical concern for law enforcement agencies worldwide. With the increasing prevalence of cyber threats, the UK police have significantly enhanced their capabilities to combat cybercrime and ensure the safety of digital infrastructures. Police forces have been dealing with an estimated 7.78 million cybercrimes in the last year (GOV).

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Videos

Invisible Children: Barnardo’s Explores the Cost of Living Impact

4 minute read

Aug 2024

The cost of living crisis has far-reaching impacts on vulnerable communities, particularly children at risk of criminal and sexual exploitation. Recent research conducted by Barnardo’s, a leading child welfare organisation, delves into the troubling connections between financial hardship and child exploitation. Jess Edwards, the Senior Policy Advisor for Childhood Harm at Barnardo's, recently presented these findings at our National County Lines, Gangs and Violence Conference.

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Articles

The NCA’s Central Role in Fighting Cybercrime & Ransomware

7 minute read

Aug 2024

Cybercrime has emerged as a Tier One national security threat, with ransomware identified as one of the most significant and pervasive dangers facing nations and organisations alike. The UK has seen a substantial rise in ransomware incidents, with recorded attacks increasing by 55% in 2023, and continuing into 2024. The majority of these attacks have targeted critical sectors, including healthcare and manufacturing, which have become prime targets due to their reliance on essential services.

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