Commissioner visits education workshop to combat exploitation of young people

PCC Jonathan Evison (R) with Headteacher Damien Keogh and Kelly Wilson from Not In Our Community

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Humberside, Jonathan Evison, has visited Axholme Academy in North Lincolnshire to see how pupils are learning about the dangers of grooming and exploitation. 

Not in Our Community¹ is the campaign funded by the Commissioner to raise awareness among young people, parents and education providers to spot the signs that someone might be at risk or need help. 

The scheme has seen interactive workshops delivered to hundreds of children across primary and secondary education settings in our region. With a successful online social media presence and platforms aimed at young people, Not in Our Community provides tailored messaging for parents, carers and professionals and all resources are available through a central online library. 

Earlier this year Not In Our Community launched a new film for teachers, youth workers and other professionals to show how we can use education to identify, prevent and disrupt grooming and child exploitation. 

Jonathan Evison said: ‘Early intervention is vital to provide young people and communities with the tools to protect themselves and I am committed to do all I can to support this. Our new sessions provide support to schools and youth engagement professionals with delivery available for year groups, assemblies and teacher training sessions.² 

‘One of the objectives in my Police and Crime Plan³ is to ensure every young person benefits from access to resources that reduce their risk of being impacted by crime. This is an expanding piece of work here in the Humber region and I look forward to sharing more updates as the campaign progresses.’ 

Headteacher of Axholme Academy, Damien Keogh said: "It was great to welcome the Not in Our Community team and the Police and Crime Commissioner to Axholme Academy. The assemblies delivered to all year groups were thought provoking, informative and raised important awareness for our students to help them to keep themselves and others safe. The sessions complemented and built on the curriculum students have been studying and we look forward to working closely with the Not in Our Community team in the future." 

Notes: 

• ¹Not In Our Community (NIOC) is a local campaign, funded and overseen by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Humberside, that aims to raise awareness of child exploitation. 

• ² Not In Our Community in-school delivery is currently operating as a pilot phase until March 2023. If you work in or know of a school that would benefit from a session delivered by Not In Or Community, please contact mail@notinourcommunity.org to speak to a member of the NIOC team. 

• ³ The Humberside Police and Crime Plan is available at www.humberside-pcc.gov.uk/Our-Work/Police-and-Crime-Plan