Extra funding to fight violent crime

Sussex Police is one of 18 forces to be given extra money to tackle violent crime this autumn using intensive, highvisibility police patrols.

Eighteen police forces across England and Wales will receive a share of an additional £4.12million to increase Hotspot Policing in towns and cities blighted by violent crime.

Developed by Essex Police, the tactic involves operating regular, intensive, highvisibility police foot patrols for short periods of time within specific areas where there is a risk of serious violence.

Police data analysis will inform which areas are most at risk of violent crime and where the patrols should be targeted.

First piloted in Southendon-Sea in 2020, the tactic resulted in a 73.5 per cent drop in violent crime and 31.9 per cent fall in street crime in the 20 highest crime hot spots on days when patrols visited, compared with days they did not. The additional £4.12million will bring the total funding given to those 18 forces to tackle serious violence to £28.6million in 2021.

Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said: “The government is working hard to confront violence in all its forms and make neighbourhoods safe.

“People want police officers visible on their streets, stopping violence and protecting people from harm and exploitation.

“That is what our smart new approach to hotspot policing does and I am delighted to see the tactic is already reducing high harm crime in some areas and look forward to this success being replicated in other towns and cities across the country.”