GYPSIE ROMA TRAVELLER RELATIONS

West Mercia and Warwickshire Police

OVERVIEW

On Tuesday the 21st of July 2015 Active Youth Outreach Services initiated their intervention events on behalf of West Mercia and Warwickshire Police in an attempt to enhance community relationships and engagement with the Policing Teams and the GRT (Gypsie Roma Traveller) Community in the local area.

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BACKGROUND

The Stourport and Bewdley local policing team had identified that there was a need for them to promote positive relationships and engagement within the local GRT Community.

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SOLUTION

The Police approached AYOS as a result of a recent successful partnership and intervention work on other projects, they knew about our mobile youth trailer, skate ramps, inflatables, archery and other mobile resources we have to offer, as well as the good work we have done with children and young people as part of our outreach work in other communities across Worcestershire.

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The reason they chose us was down to our qualified, friendly and caring staff who genuinely have an keen interest in children and young people as well as their development.

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RESULTS

The event was extremely successful and saw around 70—80 children and young people from 5 Stourport schools, plus 30 adults engaging with the AYOS staff, activities and Police; building stronger relationships and promoting positive activity, but more importantly enhancing trust and respect for the lo- cal policing team. We were supported by Worcestershire County Council GRT Education Team.

Sue Carrier—Early Intervention Targeted Youth Worker stated:

“It was the best and busiest GRT event we have been involved with”

Safer Neighbourhood Team – Inspector’ Stourport, Bewdley said –

“A massive thank you to you and all the team who worked so hard to pull this together”

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CONCLUSION

As a result of the positive outcomes seen from the GRT Event the Local Policing team and safer schools partnership asked us to support the delivery of a pilot programme called CHARM (Coaching Healthy and Respectful Masculinity) at Stourport High School developing positive relationship in young men towards women (Look our for our next case study)