Plans being formulated to stop Blackpool kids getting into crime

A report to go before Blackpool Council’s Executive committee has outlined efforts the authority is making to prevent youngsters from the town from falling into crime.

The document says whilst overall numbers remain relatively small, the number of Blackpool children becoming first-time entrants to the Youth Justice System has remained higher than national figures, for a protracted period.

The Youth Justice System in England and Wales is the specialised part of the criminal justice system that deals with children and young people aged 10 to 17 who are suspected or accused of breaking the law.

Blackpool’s Youth Justice Executive Board believes that identifying and addressing the underlying welfare and support needs that often underlie harmful behaviour is paramount to serving the best interests of children and the communities they belong to.

The report notes that some 70% of children involved with Youth Justice had identified mental health concerns.

The Executive, which is the political leadership group responsible for making day-to-day decisions on the council services, will consider a report by Vicky Gent, Director of Children’s Services, when it meets on Monday November 9.

Ms Gent says in her report to the committee: “We acknowledge the inherent vulnerability of children due to their age, varying levels of maturity, and other factors, thereby emphasise the importance of safeguarding their rights, a responsibility we are committed to upholding.”

Priorities of the the Youth Justice Partnership Plan include preventing children entering the Criminal Justice System through early interventions, diversion and prevention approaches.

It aims to ensure that children supported by the Youth Justice Service have access to suitable education, employment, and training.

It is acknowledged that children known to Youth Justice continue to experience significant educational disadvantage, with high levels of alternative provision, elective home education, SEND and post-16 NEET status. The report says this reinforces the importance of the partnership’s education, employment and skills priority.

Another priority is to reduce knife crime and serious youth violence in Blackpool. The partnership has also strengthened its response to serious youth violence and knife crime through implementation of the Government’s Child Knife Possession Guidance, ensuring a consistent Child First, safeguarding-led and multi-agency response.

The report says: “During 2025/26, 75% (of Blackpool children involved in the Youth Justice system) had current or previous social care involvement, 70% had identified mental health concerns, 63% had substance misuse concerns and 46% were assessed as vulnerable to criminal exploitation.

“The first priority of the Youth Justice Partnership is therefore to increase both the prevention and diversion ensuring children receive support at the earliest opportunity to address the high proportion of children become known to statutory youth justice service.

“Blackpool Youth Justice Service was inspected by HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) in June 2025, with the report published in August 2025.

“Inspectors recognised strong child-centred practice, effective partnership working and a trauma-informed approach, while identifying areas for improvement relating to risk assessment, victim engagement and strategic oversight of victim services.

“Recommendations made by HMIP are included within the Partnership plan and progress is monitored through the Youth Justice Executive Board and the external the Youth Justice Board (YJB).

“The YJB have reviewed Blackpool’s Partnership plan and confirmed this is a strong and ambitious plan that reflects a well-established Child First culture, strong partnership working, and a clear commitment to continuous improvement.”