Timo, eleven years old, two violent crimes, a shoplifting incident, four missing persons reports and various appearances as a witness in investigations involving other underage suspects. This is how the CV of a child reads time and again in the context of police processing. His behaviour gives cause for concern that, under unfavourable circumstances, he could develop into a so-called prolific offender.
The NRW initiative "Kurve kriegen" (Turn the corner) aims to identify children and young people who are particularly at risk of committing crimes as early as possible and prevent them from becoming prolific offenders in the long term in order to reduce or significantly reduce the number of crimes they commit and thus also the number of their victims to "zero".
Teams of experienced criminal investigation officers and educational specialists work closely together with clear roles. They accompany delinquent children and young people into a life without crime in order to offer them the chance of a perspective and social participation.
In 2011, the initiative, which is unique in Germany, was launched by the NRW Ministry of the Interior on the basis of the findings of the Enquete Commission on Prevention, initially in eight police authorities, including Cologne. Since its successful launch, 42 authorities are now participating.
The effectiveness and efficiency of the initiative has been scientifically proven by evaluations carried out by Kiel's Christian-Albrecht University and PROGNOS AG. 40 percent of graduates no longer commit crimes as a result. For the remaining 60 percent, the number of offenses is halved.
Early help instead of late hardship!
Participation in "Kurve kriegen" is possible if children or young adolescents have committed offenses, their life circumstances are risky and they are predicted to develop into serious offenders.
Experience shows that the younger the child is, the greater the crime prevention effect. The focus is therefore on the age segment of 8 - 15 years.
Criminal Investigation Department 43 carries out a so-called risk screening for potential participants. In addition to criminal anomalies, the young people's living conditions in particular are examined. So-called Risk factors such as domestic violence, other experience of violence, drug use, problematic leisure behavior, truancy, use/use of weapons can increase the risk of slipping permanently into crime.
The police visit the families, inform them about the program and make them an offer to participate. If the parents or guardians agree, they are accepted and referred to the educational specialists at "Kurve kriegen". Participation is voluntary and free of charge.
The Cologne police have been working closely with educational specialists from the Arbeiterwohlfahrt Kreisverband Köln e. V. (AWO) for years. They act as a link to the youth welfare office and cooperation partners such as schools etc. They coordinate the network work and create a tailor-made crime prevention program for the children, young people and their families.
The team, consisting of four educational specialists and two employees from the criminal investigation department, provide joint support on the way to "Kurve kriegen".
We offer:
⦁ Active support from experienced specialists,
⦁ Individual support for the child (e.g. skills training, school support, leisure activities, individual support and also parental advice),
⦁ New paths and perspectives.
What can parents and affected children do?
⦁ You have the choice!
⦁ Be open to working together. Get involved.
⦁ Seize the opportunity to tackle problems and solve them with our support.