James Richards
James became one of the Centre's Trustees in November 2019.
James is currently an anti–social behaviour Team Leader at Thurrock Council. He previously held a position at Westminster City Council – undertaking the reduction and prevention of anti social behaviour, crime and disorder in the community safety and public protection department. Prior to that, he was employed at Brent Council Community Safety Team, working to divert perpetrators of anti-social behaviour away from the criminal justice system, substance misuse, deterioration of mental health and homelessness.
Previous roles have also included working in collaboration between the charity sector and local authority – such as when he was employed at St Giles Trust and Lambeth Council Gangs and Violent Crime Reduction Team – undertaking case work diverting young people involved in gangs to exit and desist from a life style of crime, violence and exploitation. He has also worked for Catch 22 where he held a senior role resettling those leaving prison and Nacro Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme.
James holds a BSc (Hons) in Criminology and Social Policy. Following a visit to Angola he undertook an MSc in Global Governance and International Security Studies, focussing on civil wars and international relations.