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Deb’s Diamond Award

West Midlands officer has been Some of the children have been exploited
recognised for driving hundreds of to drugs, many have behavioural issues and,
y
A oungsters away from the world of quite often, they have been caught for the
crime and helping them get their lives back first time with weapons.
on track. Deb created a support network for young
DC Deborah Dace (Deb), a youth crime offenders, by working closely with youth and
officer, won a West Midlands Police Diamond health services, schools and charities to help
Award having spent the past five years children who are faced with the prospect of
working with children as young as 10 who’ve being charged, and a criminal record, which
committed offences. could jeopardise their futures. DC Deb Dace.
Deb supports young offenders and their “Things have changed so much over the they need to prosper rather than
families, hoping to intervene during the past five years. Back then, the incidents criminalising them.
earlier stages, so that they hopefully avoid seemed more minor – perhaps a bit of “I’m a dead proud police officer,” she said,
prosecution in the future. cannabis here and there - but now, we’re “I’m passionate about building bridges
“Look, nobody wants a kid to go to court. facing a generation of knife crime. It’s scary,” between the police and communities. I want
What I do is educate and help children and Deb explained, “The easiest thing to do is to to change the perception of the police, by
their parents, showing them that there is an charge them with criminal offences. If they’re doing things like simply talking to the parents
alternative option to court,” said mother-of- found with some drugs or a knife, why not like they’re ordinary people.”
two Deb, who has been in the Force for 29 charge them? Upon hearing that she had won a
years. “But my job is to understand how they’ve Diamond Award, Deb said: “My
“We ask ourselves, what can we do to found themselves in that position. Have they superintendent called to congratulate me
stop this from happening again in the future? been bullied or threatened and foolishly felt and I remember saying, congratulate me for
What interventions can we put in place to having a knife would help? Have they been what?” Deb recalled.
prevent this child from re-offending? groomed into carrying those drugs? “It’s lovely to receive the award but this
“We look at their lifestyles and their past “As a parent, I would want police to be really is a team effort. I couldn’t do this alone.
experiences, along with the reasons behind taking the proper action.” It’s great to see many of the children we’ve
them getting into trouble. Deb is a specialist in out of court helped really turn their lives around, getting
“You can’t measure what I do in any way, disposals, which depending on each back into education, training or work, and
but if we don’t hear that kid’s name again, individual case, involves looking to offer improving their life prospects. That’s what it’s
hopefully it means things have worked.” young offenders the support and chances all about.”

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