{"id":444337,"date":"2026-06-02T21:22:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T11:22:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/railuk.com\/?p=194096"},"modified":"2026-06-02T21:22:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T11:22:47","slug":"youth-workers-deployed-on-southern-and-thameslink-trains-to-address-youth-antisocial-behaviour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=444337","title":{"rendered":"Youth workers deployed on Southern and Thameslink trains to address youth antisocial behaviour"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The UK\u2019s largest train operator is investing in new community projects to address youth antisocial behaviour across the South Coast.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Youth workers have been deployed on trains to Brighton to identify vulnerable young people, and mentors will support them into careers as part of Southern and Thameslink\u2019s latest \u00a3300,000 Your Station, Your Community funding round.<\/p>\n

The train operators have announced the recipients of the 2026\/27 fund, supporting initiatives designed to reduce antisocial behaviour, safeguard vulnerable young people and help prevent exploitation and criminal involvement.<\/p>\n

Rebecca Butler, Southern and Thameslink\u2019s Safeguarding Manager said: <\/strong>\u201cOur huge network can play a holistic role in tackling these societal issues contributing to antisocial behaviour, in addition to the close partnerships we have with the police and other agencies already.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Your Station, Your Community fund invests in projects that enrich the communities we serve, and we\u2019re proud to contribute to making them vibrant places to live, visit and work \u201d<\/p>\n

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Youth coach Sadie Ashby speaking with a young person onboard a Thameslink train<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Working with the Brighton Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP), trained youth workers will be deployed on services from hotspot areas and at Brighton station, using intelligence from local stakeholders and the railway, on key dates where large numbers of young people are expected to be travelling into the city.<\/p>\n

The approach, called On The Tracks and made possible with \u00a349,522 from the fund, aims to provide a visible, supportive presence on trains and within the station \u2014 a key \u201cgateway\u201d into the city \u2014 offering early intervention that can prevent young people from becoming involved with higher-risk situations. Where appropriate, young people can be referred onwards to relevant statutory agencies and support services.<\/p>\n

The BCRP works closely with Sussex Police and local partners to improve safety within the city, having created an Early Intervention Youth Plan<\/a> which tackles youth crime at its roots \u2013 focusing on prevention rather than enforcement.<\/p>\n

On The Tracks has been developed in direct response to concerns raised by community members, businesses, frontline professionals and young people themselves following significant safeguarding challenges experienced in previous summers.<\/p>\n

Sarah Morris, from the Brighton Crime Reduction Partnership, said: <\/strong>\u201cThe railway connects thousands of young people to our city every year, providing access to our vibrant seafront, independent businesses and social spaces.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile the vast majority travel safely and positively, for a small number of vulnerable young people these journeys can also present risks linked to exploitation, criminality, substance misuse and county-lines activity.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving listened to the concerns of our partners and stakeholders, and learning from the experiences of previous summers, we have developed this early intervention partnership to bring agencies and communities together around a shared holistic approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy working collaboratively across the rail network and local services, we can identify those who may need support earlier, offer trusted relationships and positive opportunities, and help ensure young people feel welcomed, supported and connected to the city in a safe and constructive way.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Southern’s Rail Enforcement Officers work closely with the BCRP, police and other stakeholders<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The outreach is being delivered by trained youth workers from the Trust for Developing Communities, and started on May 22 with workers speaking with young people on services between East Croydon and Brighton.<\/p>\n

Adam Muirhead, Director of Youth Work at the Trust for Developing Communities, said: \u201c<\/strong>We\u2019re keen to forge a positive connection with these young people early on, rather than stepping in only when something goes wrong or behaviour needs challenging<\/p>\n

\u201cBy engaging with people onboard trains, on their way into the city, we\u2019re able to help them think ahead: who they\u2019re going to meet, where they\u2019re going, and how they might be getting home \u2013 all in order to help them enjoy the city more safely.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the first day of activity, on May 22, roughly one young person every two minutes interacted with the scheme, with additional staff and police resources to follow up with any immediate welfare issues and, where needed, make referrals so young people could take the first step towards longer-term support from statutory agencies.<\/p>\n

A dedicated youth outreach bus operated by the Trust also provides a safe and supportive space near the station for mentoring, welfare support and safeguarding conversations.<\/p>\n

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Young people enjoying the seafront in Brighton<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The project\u2019s scope also includes police resources down the key Queen\u2019s Road corridor to the seafront, providing additional reassurance for business owners and tourists visiting the city.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Southern\u2019s Rail Enforcement Officers have access to a communication platform between the police and local businesses, identifying potential issues before they arise in the city.<\/p>\n

The new funding builds on the success of the 2024\u201325 Your Station, Your Community scheme, which enabled young people to engage with positive activities and mentoring in partnership with the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, supporting them to make safer choices and develop skills for the future.<\/p>\n

Sussex Police’s Youth Sergeant Kate Hancox said<\/strong>: \u201cBy working even more closely with key partners across the city, including the railway network, we\u2019re able to positively engage with young people at the earliest opportunity and help ensure they can enjoy their time in Brighton safely, before there is ever any need for enforcement action.<\/p>\n

“Alongside this, we are continuing to work with partner agencies to identify young people who may be at greater risk of becoming involved in crime or anti-social behaviour, or who may be vulnerable to exploitation.<\/p>\n

“Through early intervention, safeguarding and targeted engagement, we can help steer young people away from harm and provide the right support at the right time.”<\/p>\n

The 2026\/27 Your Station, Your Community funding round also includes support for other initiatives aimed at tackling risk factors linked to antisocial behaviour, including violence and exploitation.<\/p>\n

Projects funded in Sussex include:<\/h3>\n