“By backing our police with the funding, powers and resources they need, we are keeping the public and our communities safe, so people everywhere can live their lives free from the fear of crime” – Mark Shelford
A special unit designed to tackle serious violence and prevent young people in Avon and Somerset being drawn into it will receive £1.16million.
It is one of 18 forces in England and Wales to share £35.5million in government funding towards Violence Reduction Units.
Mark Shelford, the Conservative candidate to be the next Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I am delighted that Avon and Somerset will receive an extra £1.16million to tackle the violent crime that has been robbing too many young people of their futures.
“This money will bring together organisations across our community to tackle violent crime and address its underlying causes, while funding vital local projects that do positive preventative work with children and young people.
“By backing our police with the funding, powers and resources they need, we are keeping the public and our communities safe, so people everywhere can live their lives free from the fear of crime.”
It brings the total funding targeted at violent crime to £105million.
This is the third year in a row the government has invested in the areas worst affected by serious violence.
In their first year of activity, initiatives funded by the scheme supported more than 100,000 young people, more than 51,000 of whom were identified as potentially high-risk of being involved in criminal and violent activity.
They also helped to bring police, education leaders, health workers and local government together to share information about the causes of violence and agree a co-ordinated plan of action to tackle it, which is crucial to preventing crime at a local level.
The new funding means they can continue this vital work.
In addition, more than £2million is being made available via a winter contingency fund.
This money is being delivered through Violence Reduction Units to local charities and social enterprises that support vulnerable young people at risk of involvement in violence through the lockdown period.
The money forms part of a wider government drive to tackle crime and make communities safer, which includes recruiting 20,000 extra police officers over three years.
A total of 6,620 officers have already been recruited, including 130 in Avon and Somerset.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Violence Reduction Units play a vital role in preventing young people from being dragged into the horrors of serious violence, and this funding will enable them to continue this crucial work.
“I will continue to back our police with the resources and powers they need to cut crime and make your community safer.”
