Youth Workers Sent Onto Brighton Trains In Safeguarding Push

Youth workers are being sent onto trains heading to Brighton as part of a new safeguarding project aimed at supporting vulnerable young people before problems escalate.

Southern and Thameslink have announced the recipients of their 2026/27 Your Station, Your Community fund, with £300,000 being used to back projects focused on reducing antisocial behaviour, protecting vulnerable young people and helping steer them away from exploitation and crime.

One of the schemes, On The Tracks, has received £49,522 and will see trained youth workers deployed on services from known hotspot areas, as well as at Brighton station itself. The project is being delivered with the Brighton Crime Reduction Partnership, using intelligence from local partners and the railway to identify key dates when large numbers of young people are expected to travel into the city.

Brighton station is being treated as a key gateway into the city, with the project designed to provide a visible and supportive presence before young people reach higher-risk situations. Where concerns are identified, young people can be referred to statutory agencies or other support services.

The outreach work is being carried out by trained youth workers from the Trust for Developing Communities. It began on 22 May, with staff speaking to young people travelling on services between East Croydon and Brighton.

On its first day, the scheme recorded around one young person engaging with the team every two minutes. Additional staff and police resources were available to respond to immediate welfare concerns and, where appropriate, make referrals for longer-term support.

A dedicated youth outreach bus, operated by the Trust, is also providing a safe space near the station for welfare support, mentoring and safeguarding conversations.

The project has been developed after concerns were raised by residents, businesses, frontline professionals and young people following significant safeguarding challenges in previous summers.

It also links with the Brighton Crime Reduction Partnership’s wider Early Intervention Youth Plan, which focuses on tackling youth crime through prevention rather than enforcement. BCRP works closely with Sussex Police and local partners to improve safety in the city.

The scheme extends beyond the railway station, with police resources also covering the Queen’s Road corridor towards the seafront, offering reassurance to local businesses and visitors. Southern’s Rail Enforcement Officers also have access to a communication platform shared by police and local businesses, helping identify potential issues before they develop.

The new funding follows earlier work through the 2024–25 Your Station, Your Community scheme, which supported young people through positive activities and mentoring in partnership with the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.

Rebecca Butler, Southern and Thameslink’s Safeguarding Manager said:

“Our 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. The Your Station, Your Community fund invests in projects that enrich the communities we serve, and we’re proud to contribute to making them vibrant places to live, visit and work ”

Sarah Morris, from the Brighton Crime Reduction Partnership, said:

“The railway connects thousands of young people to our city every year, providing access to our vibrant seafront, independent businesses and social spaces. While 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. Having 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. By 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.”

Adam Muirhead, Director of Youth Work at the Trust for Developing Communities, said:

“We’re 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. By engaging with people onboard trains, on their way into the city, we’re able to help them think ahead: who they’re going to meet, where they’re going, and how they might be getting home – all in order to help them enjoy the city more safely.”

Sussex Police's Youth Sergeant Kate Hancox said:

“By working even more closely with key partners across the city, including the railway network, we’re 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. 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. 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."

Image: Govia Thameslink Railway