Young Futures project selects Flintshire and Wrexham for pilot
Flintshire and Wrexham have been chosen as two of only three areas in England and Wales to take part in a new national pilot scheme aimed at supporting vulnerable young people before they become involved in crime or anti-social behaviour.
The Young Futures Panels pilot, which will also run in Hertfordshire and Derbyshire, brings together professionals from multiple services to identify and help young people aged 10 to 17 who may be at risk.
Although the two North Wales counties do not have designated Violence Reduction Units (VRUs), the success of their existing partnerships in tackling serious violence has led to their selection for the pilot.
A VRU brings together agencies including police, councils, health and education providers, and community leaders to address the causes of serious violence through a coordinated, public health-style approach.
The new Young Futures Panels will build on that model, providing structured pathways for early intervention and ensuring young people receive timely help and support.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for North Wales will play a key role in coordinating the work locally and feeding lessons from the pilot into national discussions.
Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: “I am pleased that Wrexham and Flintshire are part of this groundbreaking pilot project to support vulnerable young people and reduce violence. Multiagency co-operation is the hallmark of how we work in North Wales, bringing together experts from across public services to support people and communities, to get to grips with an issue and to find a resolution.
“Our assistance for young people is no different and I am glad that this has been recognised. Reducing serious violence is a key part of my Plan for cutting crime in North Wales and I hope to see the good work of the VRU continue and to be a model for reducing crime elsewhere in the country.”
Cllr Rob Walsh, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Children’s Services, said: “This pilot scheme is an excellent opportunity to enhance existing partnerships that reduce the exploitation of young people. This collaborative approach will ensure early identification of those at risk and timely interventions, helping to safeguard children and reduce their vulnerabilities to being involved in serious violence and crime.”
Diane Jones, Serious Violence Programme Lead at the OPCC, added: “The fact that Wrexham and Flintshire have been chosen for this pilot reflects the hard work put in by all involved. We have achieved this through our existing strong partnerships and through building on our work to address serious violence in the region. The fact that we are participating in this pilot highlights the significance of this work and it will help inform the future direction of violence reduction strategies in other areas of the country that are not designated as VRU locations.”
The pilot will run from October 2025 to March 2026, with findings expected to shape future national policy and determine whether the Young Futures Panels model should be rolled out across the UK.
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