Police officers bought a teenage girl a sofa-bed in a bizarre bid to keep her out of gangs.
This week, staff from Greater Manchester Police's (GMP) Tameside Prevention Hub pooled together to buy the piece of furniture for a 13-year-old - who was identified as needing additional support.
The role of the prevention hub is to develop new and innovative approaches to prevent and reduce crime in its communities.
The force explained how officers from the division had been working closely with young children to 'keep them out of crime and break the viscous cycle of gang recruitment by safeguarding those at risk of being lured into organised crime'.
PC Martin Dench said: “We work closely with a lot of vulnerable young people, and we do our best to support them in different ways. Being able to secure this bed and see the smile on her face made our day.
“We know that it can be difficult for families, and that’s why we have come together to do all we can to help this young girl.
"This is not just a one-off, here in the prevention hub we work with lots of fantastic young people, empowering them build their confidence and equipping them with the tools to live a happy life."
The teenager's family needed help to buy her a bed, so staff from the Prevention Hub clubbed together and raised enough money to purchase one from an auction house in Huddersfield.
This work is often done behind the scenes but is an important response to policing and protecting Greater Manchester communities, the force explained.
The constable added: “Working with our partners, including Tameside Social Services and our Complex Safeguarding Hub, we endeavour to offer young children and their families the security and support that they need.”
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