A new fund will help to "carve out safe routes" for Merseyside's young people involved in county lines drug operations to escape.
The Home Office has announced up to £5m of funding that will be used to help young people escape the clutches of county lines drug gangs which exploit and groom them for criminal profit. Merseyside is one of four areas particularly blighted by county lines drug operations that will receive a portion of the funds, the other areas being London, the West Midlands and Greater Manchester.
Catch22, a not for profit business based in Knowsley, is one of the partners receiving the funding. Their teams will work with services like local police forces and children's services to reach young people at risk of exploitation by county lines drug gangs before it's too late.
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Announcing the new initiative, Catch22 also said if under-25s in need of their help are located outside of their hometowns, then a "rescue service" will be sent to offer them a "pivotal moment" to turn their lives around and to protect their futures.
They will also be offering a mental health support service to these young people and their families to allow them to fully move on from the trauma of their experiences.
Naomi Hulston, CEO of Catch22, said: "For children and young people who are victims of County Lines activity, the impact on their lives – and the lives of those around them – is devastating. We know that grooming techniques are becoming more advanced and that escaping the clutches of these perpetrators can be incredibly difficult.
"That’s why as part of this service we’ll not only be bringing young people home safely, we’ll be supporting them to make sure they can process their experiences and are protected from any future harm."
Jeremy Quin MP, crime and policing minister said: "I want victims of exploitation to know that we are on their side – and that there is a way out, a brighter future available.
"Since 2019 we have already shut down 2,400 County Lines, made over 8,000 arrests and engaged over 9,500 individuals through safeguarding interventions.
"These services will be relentless in their focus to carve out safe routes home for young people in danger and tear them away from the grip of these merciless gangs, opening up their futures once more."
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