As pupils stream out of school and into the late afternoon streets, Lambeth Council is stepping up efforts to make sure those journeys home are safer than ever. In response to growing concerns about youth violence and anti-social behavior after school hours, the borough has launched a new drive to protect young people from crime, working closely with local schools, police, youth services and community groups. The initiative, highlighted by Love Lambeth, aims to target the critical window between the end of the school day and early evening – a period when young people are often most vulnerable – and to offer them safer routes, constructive activities and tailored support.
Lambeth expands after school safety initiatives to protect vulnerable young people
Building on existing safeguarding partnerships, the council is investing in extra patrols, specialist youth workers and dedicated “safe routes” from school gates to transport hubs. These measures focus on the critical hours between 3pm and 7pm, when young people can be most exposed to exploitation, bullying and serious youth violence. New joint operations with local police, schools and community groups will see uniformed staff and trained volunteers present in identified hotspots, alongside rapid referral pathways into support services for those at risk. A network of trusted venues, including libraries, youth clubs and sports centres, will offer supervised spaces where young people can spend time, access advice and connect with positive role models.
To make the support more visible and accessible, the program is also expanding targeted activities and mentoring after school, with particular emphasis on girls and young people with special educational needs. Priority actions include:
- Extra youth sessions in estates and local centres, co-designed with young residents
- Community “safe spots” in shops and cafés displaying a recognisable sticker for fast help
- On‑the‑spot safeguarding advice for parents and carers via school‑based outreach
- Fast‑track referrals to counselling, mediation and conflict resolution services
| Support Area | What’s New | When |
|---|---|---|
| After‑school patrols | More joint police-youth worker teams | Weekdays, 3-7pm |
| Safe spaces | Extra hubs in high‑footfall locations | Term time |
| Mentoring | Targeted 1:1 support | By referral |
Partnerships between schools police and youth workers aim to prevent serious youth violence
Across the borough, teachers, Safer Schools officers and community youth practitioners are coming together to identify risk early and steer pupils away from harm once the school gates close. New joint briefings mean that behavioural concerns, safeguarding issues and changes in local tensions can be shared in real time, allowing staff to respond before minor disputes escalate into serious incidents. Youth workers are also being embedded into after-school routines,offering drop-in support,conflict mediation and safe routes guidance to pupils travelling home.
This joined-up approach is reshaping how professionals work with young people and their families. Dedicated multi-agency panels meet regularly to coordinate tailored help, from mentoring and sports programmes to targeted outreach on estates. Key strands of the partnership include:
- Shared intelligence hubs so schools, police and youth teams can spot emerging patterns
- Visible reassurance patrols around known hotspots at closing time and early evening
- On-site workshops about exploitation, online grooming and carrying weapons
- Family support referrals for those at higher risk of being drawn into violence
| Focus Area | Main Action | Lead Partner |
|---|---|---|
| After-school routes | Safe corridor patrols | Safer Schools officers |
| Peer conflicts | Mediation sessions | Youth workers |
| Early warning | Weekly risk reviews | School safeguarding leads |
Community centres and sports programmes offer safe spaces and positive pathways after lessons
Across Lambeth, youth clubs, leisure centres and faith-based halls are extending their opening hours so that young people have somewhere welcoming to go as soon as the school bell rings. Trained youth workers, coaches and mentors are on hand to offer guidance, while facilities such as study spaces, music rooms and indoor courts give pupils a reason to stay engaged and off the streets. These settings are designed to feel local and familiar, but with clear boundaries, safeguarding in place and a strong focus on building confidence and leadership. Many sites work closely with nearby schools and families to identify those most at risk of being drawn into crime, creating a joined-up safety net that continues long after lessons end.
Sport is at the heart of the new offer, used not only to keep young people active but also to connect them to positive role models and real opportunities. Free and low-cost sessions in football, basketball, boxing and dance are being rolled out after school and at weekends, with extra support for girls and young people with additional needs. Programmes are built around life skills as much as physical training, with activities that highlight:
- Teamwork – learning to trust, listen and support others under pressure.
- Discipline – turning up on time, committing to practice, respecting rules.
- Resilience – managing setbacks, conflict and disappointment safely.
- Aspiration – meeting coaches, volunteers and older peers who model different futures.
| Area | Activity | Age Group |
|---|---|---|
| Brixton | After-school football & homework club | 11-14 |
| Streatham | Girls’ boxing & mentoring | 13-17 |
| Clapham | Indoor basketball league | 14-18 |
Parents and local residents urged to play active role in early intervention and crime reporting
Families and neighbours are being asked to look out for the small warning signs that a young person might potentially be drifting towards risky behaviour, from sudden changes in friendship groups to unexplained gifts or late-night absences. Rather than waiting for problems to escalate, the council is encouraging residents to speak up early, use confidential reporting channels and work with schools, youth workers and community groups to offer help before a situation becomes critical. Local parents’ forums and tenant associations will be supported to host workshops on online safety,grooming and exploitation,ensuring carers feel confident to spot concerns and know exactly who to contact.
To make it easier for people to act, Lambeth is promoting a range of simple, practical steps that anyone can take. These include sharing data anonymously with the police or the council’s community safety team, joining neighbourhood networks that pass on timely updates, and making use of after-school programmes that give young people safe places to go. By treating residents as partners rather than bystanders, the borough aims to build a culture where early conversations, swift reporting and shared duty reduce the chances of children being drawn into violence or exploitation.
- Notice changes: mood, attendance, unexplained money or gifts
- Start a conversation: calm, non-judgemental, focused on safety
- Use trusted routes: school staff, youth workers, community leaders
- Report concerns: anonymously if needed, but as early as possible
| Who you are | How you can help |
|---|---|
| Parent or carer | Talk regularly, check in after school, know their routes home |
| Neighbor | Report persistent anti-social behaviour or suspicious activity |
| Shop or café owner | Offer a safe space, share concerns with local officers |
| Community volunteer | Support youth clubs, mentoring and after-school projects |
To Conclude
As Lambeth steps up its efforts to protect young people beyond the school gates, the success of this new drive will depend on sustained funding, close coordination between agencies and the trust of the communities it aims to serve.
With more patrols, targeted support and safer routes home, the borough is signalling that safeguarding does not end at the classroom door. What happens next will be measured not only in reduced crime statistics, but in whether young people feel safer, more supported and more hopeful about their futures in Lambeth.
