A senior police officer is to be locked up in a cell in Burnley – but it’s all for charity.

Superintendent Justin Srivastava who is the Trauma Informed Lead for the Violence Reduction Network, will be locked away at Burnley Police Station.

His challenge begins at 8am today (Friday, April 19) and will see Superintendent Srivastava willingly ‘incarcerate’ himself in the confines of a cell, all in the name of ‘resilience and community spirit’. 

Superintendent Srivastava is supporting Burnley FC's Community Trust and will not be released until he has hit the £2,000 mark.

He said: “By voluntarily ‘incarcerating’ myself for this cause, I aim to not only raise crucial funds for Burnley FC in the Community but to also raise awareness about trauma-informed approaches. 

“It’s about shifting the narrative from reaction to prevention, from stigma to understanding.

"Projects like this allow us to work together to empower communities and foster environments where every individual feels seen, heard, and supported.” 

Through a partnership with the trust, tailored interventions are provided to individuals aged 10 to 25, to address the root causes of violence and provide opportunities for positive development. 

The programme utilises ‘sports, mentoring, and educational activities to engage with at-risk youth’.

Throughout his time in the cell, Superintendent Srivastava will confront various challenges, aiming to demonstrate resilience and perseverance in his mission to raise funds. 

You can support Superintendent Justin Srivastava’s journey on his Just Giving fundraising page here.