Former Luton headteacher heard about serious violence, exploitation and impact of Covid

The children’s commissioner visited Bedfordshire Police HQ in Kempston on Monday (July 12) to understand more about the challenges faced by young people in the county.

Dame Rachel De Souza spent time talking to officers and staff working in the Public Protection Unit (PPU) and the Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit (VERU) to look at how the force works with partners to support young people.

In one of her previous roles before becoming commissioner, Dame De Souza was the headteacher of Barnfield West Academy in Luton.

Topics covered included serious youth violence, mental health, online safety, domestic abuse, exploitation, and the impact of Covid-19 on young people.