The Centre for Health Services Studies at the University of Kent, in collaboration NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Kent Surrey Sussex evaluated a voluntary electronic tag programme for young people at risk of criminal exploitation (2023-2025).
The programme, known as the Buddi Tag programme, is delivered by the Kent and Medway Violence Reduction Unit, a collaboration of Kent Police, Kent County Council and Medway Council.
The voluntary tag, worn for 6 to 8 weeks, empowers the young person to rebuff approaches from harmful peer groups. Meanwhile, regular contact from the Buddi Tag team, combined with benevolent surveillance, promoted safety, fostered changes in friendship groups, encouraged engagement in other activities, and strengthened connections with other services.
Our uncontrolled study found that young people who were engaged with the programme had reduced suspected offences and reduced days missing from home up to 9 months after tag removal.
The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex has awarded funding (2025–26) to disseminate these findings and develop a proposal for a larger study involving additional police services in other areas. The planned study will examine what is required for successful implementation in other areas, incorporate young people’s perspectives, and assess cost-effectiveness.