Police Advises Thousands of Children and Youth - Saxony-Anhalt's Youth Counselling Cuts Reoffending with 8,800+ Sessions

The police youth counselling service in Saxony-Anhalt has provided support to thousands of young people over the past four years. Between 2021 and 2025, the team delivered over 8,800 individual sessions aimed at preventing repeat offending. The initiative focuses on early intervention for children, adolescents, and young adults at risk of criminal behaviour.

The service operates from 15 main locations across the region, with additional outreach sites set up as needed. Staff help young offenders tackle the underlying causes of their actions while guiding them toward long-term social integration. Beyond direct counselling, the team links participants to further support networks and aid programmes.

A team of 21 employees—with four current vacancies—runs the service. Their work extends beyond the young individuals themselves, involving over 2,000 consultations with family members and social services professionals. In total, these efforts have reached more than 20,000 people since 2021. While specific figures on permanent social integration are not publicly available, general evaluations suggest the programme has contributed to reducing reoffending rates. The service continues to prioritise early social and educational support for those suspected of offences.

The youth counselling service remains a key resource for young people in Saxony-Anhalt. Through direct sessions and wider community engagement, it aims to break cycles of offending. The ongoing work relies on a dedicated team and a network of support partners across the region.