Our vision is that Project Shield will be an effective platform to continue to deliver youth informed partnership work, focusing our efforts on identifying and protecting those most vulnerable to being at risk from Serious Youth Violence. Its aims are to engage young people in positive and constructive dialogue, whilst raising awareness of the dangers and consequences of becoming involved in serious youth violence.
The branding was developed in consultation with children and young people across Leeds. The logo design was created by three young people in Leeds that participated in a competition across schools and youth settings and was launched in February 2024.
As part of Project Shield there are daily meetings Monday to Friday which are led by the police, currently chaired by Project Shield Partnership Sergeant Katie Earnshaw. The meetings are attended by a broad range of agencies including Children’s Social Work Service, Youth Justice Service, Liaison and Diversion, A&E Navigators and Education. The meeting will share information regarding children in custody or linked to intelligence around serious youth violence and exploitation. These meetings are not designed to make case decisions but rather to share key information in a timely and efficient way, ensuring that referrals are made to duty and advice as appropriate and that key professionals are informed.
Project Shield area meetings
To enhance the effectiveness of our work with young people involved in serious youth violence each of the three Leeds areas are now running a multi-agency ‘Serious Youth Violence area meeting’. Each meeting will run every 6 weeks (so there is one meeting every two weeks: East, South and West). The partners attending this meeting are from both statutory and third sector organisations that have current local knowledge and up to date intelligence, as well as some clear ideas of potential support to enhance the existing plans that are in place for these young people. The meetings are chaired by the Project Shield Partnership Sergeant
Who will be referred to the area meeting?
Anyone who has potential gang involvement, who has been carrying weapons, involved in violent robberies, or expressing fears about reprisals from others that are potentially gang affiliated. They may be involved as a victim, offender, or a witness. They will all need to have an allocated social worker and will have been assessed as being at significant (High) or moderate (Medium) risk of harm.
How do I refer?
Once a case is open to CSWS the allocated Social Worker can refer into the Area meeting. This is only where the risk includes serious youth violence.
Email sent to appropriate NPT mailbox
innersouth@westyorkshire.police.uk
innereast@westyorkshire.police.uk
innerwest@westyorkshire.police.uk
Email needs to be sent as specified with the following information:
Subject: Youth Violence Area meetings (East/ South/ West) Referral
Child’s information
Forename (s)
Surname
Date of birth
Address
MOSAIC reference
Lead Professional/ Social Worker name
Guiding A New Generation Meeting ( G.A.N.G)
The (GANG) meeting works with young people under 18 who are moderate and significant risk, associated with urban street gangs, or those difficult to engage. The meeting also supports young people aged 18-24 years.
Referrals for over 18’s will come directly from referring agencies or, for those children approaching 18 from the area youth violence meetings.
Referrals for over 18s are currently being sent via email to mark.rothery@westyorkshire.police.uk