The High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, The Hon Frances Stanley DL paid a visit to Peterborough’s Youth Justice Service on Tuesday 19 August 2025 and some of the young people they work with and was left ‘deeply impressed’ by what she saw.
Our Youth Justice Service aims to prevent offending for children. It works collaboratively with the child and their family to assess, plan and deliver interventions that enhance strengths in the child's life and build their sense of personal and social identity. It also has a focus on keeping communities safe and ensuring victims of crime are supported and where possible, achieve a restorative outcome with the child who has harmed them. It is a multi-agency team comprising staff from probation, police, health and social care alongside specialist workers in education, substance misuse, victim work and sexual behaviour.
The visit took place at Peterborough City Council’s offices at Sand Martin House. The Hon Frances Stanley DL was accompanied by Jonathan Jelley MBE JP, Chairman of Peterborough Council for Voluntary Service.
She was introduced to representatives of the Youth Justice Service who spoke about their work, what they provide to help young people and about several projects that have had huge success, including the recent Firebreak scheme.
The Firebreak scheme offers a unique opportunity for children to engage and work with operational firefighters from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, who support them in building positive and trusting relationships. They learn teamwork and essential skills like CPR, road safety and basic life support. They also learn how to identify and build on their strengths, improving levels of self-confidence. Young people who attended the scheme were in attendance to talk to The Hon Frances Stanley DL about how the scheme has had a positive outcome on their lives.
The Hon Frances Stanley DL, said: “I was deeply impressed by what I saw and by the work the team are doing, both individually and collectively. It was clear that the dedication and passion of the whole team shone through.
“The stories of the young people who have been working with the team greatly impressed me and were inspiring and moving. This is really incredible work and deserves to be shared nationally at the highest levels so it can be replicated elsewhere.”
Matt Gladstone, chief executive at Peterborough City Council, said: “It was an honour to welcome the Hon Frances Stanley DL and to showcase the wonderful work that has been achieved by our Youth Offending Team and the positive impact of this on the young people themselves. We were all delighted by her positive comments and look forward to working with her more closely in the future.”
Station Commander Paul Clarke, Children and Young People, Water and Road Safety Lead at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Working with vulnerable young people is so important to us and we remain committed to supporting the incredible work of our partners in Peterborough’s Youth Justice Service via our Firebreak scheme. We never fail to be inspired by what young people can achieve when given the appropriate support and opportunity, and long may that continue.