Gangs and Exploitation is an increasingly prevalent issue which enables a whole host of criminality.
People involved with gangs may be victims of violence, they may feel pressured into doing things like stealing or carrying drugs or weapons. Being part of a gang like this can be dangerous; young people are being exploited through their activities. For many going through this it can be difficult to know where to turn, and often people feel a part of something and don’t want to leave. These organisations may be able to support in different ways, for those involved in exploitation or being exploited themselves.

#livesb4knives
01582 664433
office@sthughs.org.uk
#livesb4knives is an anonymous support group aimed at those affected by knife crime or serious youth violence.
Areas of Operation:
Luton

Azalea
01582 733200
info@azalea.org.uk
From our centre in Luton, we offer support and care for all caught in sex trafficking. Given the complexity of the challenges facing these men and women, we have a number of projects through which we endeavour to build relationships, offer mentoring and support, encourage good choices, and journey alongside them towards walking free.
Areas of Operation:
Luton

Boxing Saves Lives
Boxing Saves Lives is a not for profit organisation created to show how boxing can be a way to prevent crime, poor mental health, loneliness and exclusion. We are dedicated to improving the lives of people of any age, creating a safe haven for those who want a new way to feel better and increase their self worth. Boxing Saves Lives are currently working with young people in Bedfordshire as a crime prevention strategy, that improves physical and mental health. It utilises the strengths of discipline, respect, integrity and self worth to empower young people to make positive life changing choices.
Areas of Operation:
Bedford, Central Beds, Luton

Dynamic Decisions
Dynamic Dimensions is a knife crime intervention programme and they support anyone who is involved in knife crime.
Areas of Operation:
Bedford, Central Beds, Luton

Fearless
0800 555 111
Fearless is a site where young people can access non-judgemental information and advice about crime and criminality. What makes this site different is we also provide you with a safe place to give information to us about crime - 100% anonymously - you don't have to give any personal information.
Areas of Operation:
National

Link to Change
01480 474974
info@linktochange.org.uk
Link to Change is an independent charity offering support for children and young people aged 12 to 26 in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Bedfordshire and Luton. Link to Change currently support both young people that have been at risk of or have experienced both sexual and criminal exploitation. We provide a safe environment in which young people can access support and explore the possibilities for change. We promote a greater understanding of the sexual exploitation of children and young people.
Areas of Operation:
Bedford, Central Beds, Luton

Runaway Helpline
116 000
116000@runawayhelpline.org.uk
Runaway Helpline is here if you are thinking about running away, if you have already run away, or if you have been away and come back. You can also contact us if you are worried that someone else is going to run away or if they are being treated badly or abused. Runaway Helpline has been supporting young people for many years and is run by the UK charity Missing People. Our staff and volunteers are trained professionals who want to help you through anything you are finding tough.
Areas of Operation:
National

Stop It Now!
0808 1000 900
Stop It Now! UK and Ireland is run by The Lucy Faithfull Foundation, the only UK-wide charity dedicated solely to preventing child sexual abuse. We are here for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse and its prevention. As a child protection charity, we work to prevent child sexual abuse by making sure adults know what they can do to keep children safe. Please get in touch if you’re worried about your own/another adult's/a child or young person's thoughts or behaviour, or want information on how to keep children safe offline and online.
Areas of Operation:
National

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation
0808 1000 900
referrals@lucyfaithfull.org.uk
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation is the only UK-wide charity dedicated solely to tackling child sexual abuse. Every day, children and young people across the UK suffer sexual abuse, most commonly at the hands of someone they know. Latest research suggests at least one in six children aged 11-17 become victims. We work to prevent abuse from happening in the first place - and to prevent it from happening again if it already has. Where abuse has already taken place, we work with all those affected including adult male and female abusers; young people with harmful sexual behaviour; children with concerning sexual behaviours; victims of abuse and other family members. But we also work in families and with adults and young people where there has been no abuse, to help them keep themselves and others as safe as possible.
Areas of Operation:
National

Unseen
08000 121 700
At Unseen we are working towards a world without slavery. It’s a big aim and a big task, but we believe we can do it. By concentrating our efforts on three main areas - supporting, equipping and influencing - we can start to tackle the issue in a way that really works. Our specialist care is the first step in the fight against slavery. Through supporting survivors, our provision gives them a safe place to recover from trauma and rebuild their lives.
Areas of Operation:
National