Over the school holidays, North Yorkshire Police and City of York Council will head Operation Liberate, an initiative that will identify young people in potentially vulnerable situations, and take steps to keep them safe.

While York is a very safe city, young people may be at risk due to their location, the time of day, their peer group and the potential for anti-social behaviour.

Operation Liberate ran for the first time in 2015, and got underway this year on Saturday 23 July. Under the operation, young people identified to be potentially at risk can be brought to a designated ‘place of safety’. There, they will be spoken to and advised by police and volunteers, and referred on to other organisations if necessary.

Partner agencies including domestic abuse charity IDAS, the NHS, Lifeline and the council will work together with specially-trained volunteers to ensure any particularly vulnerable young people get the support they need.

Inspector Lee Pointon, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “It’s vital that we do everything we can to help young people in York keep safe. During the summer holidays, some youngsters may find themselves in potentially harmful situations. We and partner organisations can support them, to ensure they don’t put themselves at unnecessary risk.

“Operation Liberate is all about working together to support these young people so we can identify their needs at an early stage and help avoid any problems recurring in the future.”