Javid doubles funds to steer youngsters away from crime

THE Government is to double funding for a scheme to steer children and teenagers away from violence after a sharp rise in crime rates.

Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, is to increase money available under the Early Intervention Youth Fund (EIYF) from £11million to £22million.

It comes after police-recorded crime in England and Wales hit the highest level in more than a decade as killings, knife offences and robberies surged.

In the 12 months to March, forces logged 5.5million crimes – a rise of 11 per cent compared with the previous year and the highest tally for an equivalent period since 2005-06.

Police registered 40,147 offences involving a knife or sharp instrument – a 16 per cent rise and the highest number since the start of the decade.

Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also found the proportion of recorded crimes that result in a charge or summons has fallen below one in 10, while officer numbers are the lowest in at least 22 years.

On Saturday, David Jamieson, West Midlands police and crime commissioner, said having fewer officers to deal with rising crime was a “deadly equation” and it was an “inescapable conclusion” that cuts to policing were endangering the public.

Addressing criticism that some of the spike in violent crime has been caused by lack of youth services, Mr Javid said: “Intervening early in the lives of vulnerable young people can help focus their talents on positive activities and steer them away from the dangers of serious violence.

“This is why we are doubling our Early Intervention Youth Fund to £22 million. The fund will support groups at the heart of our communities who educate and interact with youths.”

The EIYF is available to police and crime commissioners to fund projects in their areas, and opens for bids today.