The core work of the team is made up of both short and longer term engagement children and young people who have just got involved in, or are at risk of getting involved in crime, anti-social behaviour or going missing. They primarily work directly with the children/young people but also their families.
The Early Action Police Team in Bradford is part of West Yorkshire Police and they focus on three main areas:
Early intervention, education, engagement and diversion work.
Education programs:
Short term work includes 1:1 sessions tailored to the person/issue. This can include crime and consequences, cyber-crime, county lines, appropriate relationships, violence against women and girls, knife crime etc.
Longer term we provide family support to young people and their families over many months, building relationships and supporting, signposting to partners and educating in our areas of knowledge.
Positive Activity sessions: we run intervention and engagement schemes including football sessions, girls groups, boxing drop-in sessions, board games club, summer holiday projects and knife crime outreach programme.
Community Engagement: we support at local and community events at family hubs, schools etc. We provide police vehicles, uniforms to try and sirens to ensure children and young people enjoy themselves and find our officers approachable and build positive relationships.
Families of children who have just got involved in or are at risk of getting involved in crime, anti-social behaviour or going missing.
Usually we work with children who are 11 and above but we would be happy to speak to you about a child who is slightly younger.
Referrals are at the request of both Police colleagues and other professionals such as Lead Practitioners, Family Support Workers, Social Workers and children's care home staff.
To refer a family or young person, or get more information, email the team on bdeat@westyorkshire.police.uk