‘Be the change’ to steer women and girls away from organised crime

'Be the change' to steer women and girls away from organised crime

Knowsley's Crime and Communities team has launched a new project to highlight the opportunities available to women and girls and steer them away from people involved in serious and organised crime.

Funded by the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP), the "Be the Change" project aims to educate and support women and girls to recognise and reduce the perceived attraction of becoming involved with individuals and groups connected with serious and organised crime.

The project will promote healthy relationships and highlight the consequences of becoming involved in those relationships both personally, to their families and to the wider communities.

The aims of the project are:

• Preventing young females in Knowsley being attracted to the world of, and those involved in, serious and organised crime
• Reducing the apathy shown by young females towards serious and organised crime
• Highlighting the consequences of serious and organised crime
• Reducing unhealthy and risky relationships
• Increasing confidence of young females to report intelligence particularly in relation to weapons such as guns and knives.

Wellness classes for new and expectant mums

The Council has partnered up with Trinity Wellness CIC to deliver group sessions for new and expectant mums in Knowsley, incorporating a whole family approach to prevention and tackling organised crime again by not only building aspirations but also to create safe spaces for the group to attend and feel supported.

The group will be primarily centred around health and wellbeing of new and expectant mums but will also create an environment that will also offer support around confidence, financial safety, aspiration building and personal safety.

The first group will be starting onWednesday 11^th September 2024 at 12.30pm at Towerhill Community Centre, Ebony Way, Kirkby.

All sessions are FREE and children are also welcome.

You can find out more about the sessions by emailing Gavin Roberts from Knowsley's Crime and Communities team at [email protected]

Other classes, focusing on a variety of different areas, will be taking place around the borough to provide opportunities to as many women and girls as possible. Keep an eye out on Knowsley News and our social media channels for updates!

Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said: "We believe this is a truly innovative project that Knowsley's Crime and Communities team are launching, which will have potentially wide-reaching positive consequences in our communities. In the past the impact of serious and organised crime on females has not always been taken into consideration. I think some of the tragic events in recent years has now brought that into sharp focus. It's vital that women and girls in our communities understand the consequences of being connected with individuals or groups involved in serious and organised crime, not just for them but for those around them. It is also critical they are aware of the alternative choices they can make for a happier, healthier life. Although Council-led, it will require a multi-agency partnership approach to ensure this exciting project is effective and makes a meaningful difference to people's lives."