How custody staff in Doncaster are helping people arrested for violence to turn their lives around

Time sitting in cells at Doncaster Police Station will be used as a "teachable moment", violence experts have said, as a new scheme is launched getting specially-trained staff to prevent suspects heading down a road "entrenched" in serious crime.

Employment of several new custody navigators under the Plan B scheme will allow detainees to access support and guidance after being apprehended over serious violent offences, offering help getting suspects into employment and assistance with housing, finances and mental health.

The scheme, which was been called 'Plan B' and is the brainchild of South Yorkshire's Home Office-funded violence reduction unit, has already been rolled out at Sheffield's Shepcote Lane custody centre.

Joint Head of the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit, Temporary Superintendent Lee Berry, said people in custody in Sheffield have already been accepting help.

"[Custody navigators] have worked with detainees brought in to custody from across Sheffield and Rotherham since January 2020 and have already supported individuals into employment and away from a life of violence," Mr Berry said.

“This a big opportunity for young people in Doncaster to access tailored support when they are brought into custody.

"Navigators will provide assistance with their housing arrangements, accessing financial help, provide transport to support groups or just listen when they want to talk about their situation.”

The Plan B scheme has been run in partnership with Sheffield-based charity City Hearts, which has fifteen years of experience providing trauma-informed support to vulnerable people.

Stuart Otten, City Hearts About Face Project Manager said: “Having a specific moment in time when an individual is in custody gives us the opportunity to connect with them at a significant point where they are able to contemplate their life choices that have contributed to their current circumstance.

“Explaining that Plan B operates outside of the criminal justices process is vital in building trust and rapport which in turn, aids the support journey once the individual is released into the community.”

South Yorkshire was highlighted as one of 18 areas in the country - along with West Yorkshire - in need of funding to combat escalating rates of violence.

Funding was provided by the Home Office in autumn last year for the units, which work directly with the police forces, local authorities, health services and charities and organisations within the community.

Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner said: “We know from experience elsewhere that when people are sitting in a cell, this can be a moment when they are forced to think about their lives and the direction in which they are going. This is the ‘reachable moment’ when a navigator can show them that there is a better way and they can be helped to get there.

“Navigators have already helped many in Sheffield to make this life-changing decision and I am very pleased that we can extend the scheme now to Doncaster.

“It is in everybody’s interest to stop people being exposed to violence or to draw them from it if they are involved, and this is what the Violence Reduction Unit does.”

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