The NAS has been working in partnership with the Co-operative Bank since 2005 to deliver Keeping Safe, a training programme for teenagers with Asperger syndrome.

Young people with Asperger syndrome are more likely than their peers to come into contact with the Criminal Justice System (CJS) as a victim of, or a suspect to, a crime. Vulnerable and unable to assess situations they may not be able to interpret threatening situations or may be deceived by others.

Keeping Safe equips young people at a vulnerable age with skills to recognise dangerous situations, keep themselves safe and learn about the risks of crime.

We recently launched an information campaign to target police officers, magistrates, probation officers and other CJS professionals who may come into contact with people with Asperger syndrome. The campaign aims to increase awareness of autism to enable them to better communicate with people with autism.

The Co-operative Bank is supporting the programme as part of its social goals strategy and has so far donated £116,000 towards its development. With their support the programme has already been successfully delivered in several schools across the UK.