Cumbria’s Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (DPFCC), Mike Johnson, visited Dropzone’s True Colours LGBTQ+ youth group in Barrow-in-Furness to see first-hand how equipment purchased from the Property Fund is being put to good use.

The property fund re-invests money seized from criminal activity and distributes it into local projects, aimed at providing activities that help to reduce crime in communities across Cumbria.

Dropzone were awarded £1, 862 to purchase Chromebooks and Barnardo’s Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) education resources to raise awareness amongst the young people around the potential risks of online and social media communication. The organisation has seen an increase in young people being sexually exploited online, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. They aim to empower young people to protect themselves and others online and provide prevention to reduce the likelihood of CSE.

During the visit, the DPFCC met with some of the attendees of True Colours, the workers that support the group and to have a look at the resources and Chromebooks the Property Fund provided.

DPFCC Mike Johnson said: “It’s incredibly important that we provide support and prevention methods to our young people, especially those who are more likely to be a victim of CSE which is why I supported Dropzone’s bid to the Property Fund.

“The Property Fund is all about keeping our communities safe and I think Dropzone provides this safe place for these young people who are still discovering who they are and showing them how to keep themselves safe from those who wish to exploit them.

“I was pleased to meet with the young people and Cath Corkhill, who runs the organisation, to hear about the club and how they support others across the Barrow area.”