£1m awarded to steer young from violence
HOME OFFICE FUNDING FOR SERIES OF PROGRAMMES
ALMOST £1 million has been awarded to help steer young people in Leicestershire away from crime and serious violence.
The Violence Reduction Network (VRN) successfully bid for £934,683 from the Home Office’s Serious Violence Youth Interventions Programme to support young people at high risk of being drawn into knife crime and violence.
The funding includes £319,259 for training to enable frontline professionals to improve their understanding of the trauma experienced by the young people they work with and how they can mitigate its impact.
Another £232,657 will place experienced mentors in police custody to engage and support young people at a moment they are more likely to accept support.
The VRN has also been awarded £382,767 for a targeted schools project enabling youth workers to offer young people at risk of exclusion support and intervention.
The Youth Endowment Fund is also considering additional funding for this project.
Responding to the announcement, Grace Strong, strategic director of the VRN, said: “I am delighted the Home Office supports our work and vision for preventing and reducing violence in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
“Timely and effective intervention is critical if we are to prevent young people from becoming involved in violence.
“Our bids for funding were ambitious but the Home Office has clearly seen value in our approach and the potential of these interventions by committing this level of support.
“Through this funding, we will be able to support more vulnerable young people across the city and both counties and provide the professional help and services they need to open the door to opportunity and realise their full potential.”
Police and crime commissioner Rupert Matthews said: “This funding is great news and will ensure those at risk of a life of crime can receive the rehabilitation and attention they need early – before it is too late.
“I’ve made it clear since my election that preventing violence, particularly knife crime, is a top priority.
“The only reasonable way to
break the cycle and stop a new generation of weapon carriers on our streets is to divert them from harm at the earliest opportunity.
“This funding will help us to make a difference.”
Nationally, the Home Office is investing £17 million in early intervention and preventative activity.