Police Advises Thousands of Children and Youth - Saxony-Anhalt's youth counselling cuts reoffending with early intervention

A youth counselling service in Saxony-Anhalt has provided support to thousands of young offenders over the past five years. The initiative focuses on early intervention to tackle the causes of criminal behaviour and prevent reoffending. Between 2021 and 2025, the programme delivered over 8,800 individual counselling sessions for young people at risk.

The service operates across 15 main locations, with additional outreach sites set up as needed. A team of 21 staff—though currently four positions remain unfilled—works directly with children, adolescents, and young adults suspected of offences. Their approach combines social and educational support to help participants avoid relapse and reintegrate into society.

Over the same period, the programme engaged with more than 20,000 people, including over 2,000 consultations with family members and social services professionals. The state government has highlighted the service's importance in reducing juvenile crime by addressing underlying issues early. While exact figures on long-term success rates are not available, the counselling centre continues to connect young offenders with further aid programmes. Its goal remains clear: to break cycles of offending through targeted intervention and sustained support.

The initiative has reached thousands of young people and their support networks since 2021. With 15 fixed sites and flexible outreach, the service remains a key part of Saxony-Anhalt's strategy to combat youth crime. Officials stress that early intervention and ongoing guidance are essential to its continued impact.