MORE than 1,000 secondary school teachers and council workers are set to receive specialised training on how to identify teenagers at risk of being exploited by gangs.

Roger Hirst, police and crime commissioner for Essex, has commissioned the pilot programme to help stop vulnerable people being exploited by drug dealers and other gang members.

The initiative, led by charity Gangsline, will mean that the young people who have been identified as at risk will be supported by professionals, including former gang members, to help them turn their lives around.

Mr Hirst, said: “Gangs exploit some of the most vulnerable young people in our community, bringing them into a culture of crime, drugs and abuse.

“Tackling gangs is a priority in my police and crime plan.

“This pathway into exploitation can be stopped by early identification and effective intervention.

“Once identified, those at risk of being exploited will be supported by a network of highly skilled specialists, including some ex-gang members, who work with young people at risk to tackle the issues affecting them and help them turn their lives around.”

The national charity Gangsline, which has been working on intervention programmes since 2000, has proved successful in diverting young people away from a life in gangs. As well as this programme, Essex Police have co-ordinated drugs gang teams, named Operation Raptor, who regularly stop cars and carry out regular raids to search for gangs and gang-related crime.