Javid drive to divert youth from crime

SAJID JAVID has unveiled details of a new drive to stop youngsters being drawn into crime or exploited by gangs.

The Home Secretary announced that 29 projects endorsed by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will receive funding totalling £17.7m over two years, including schemes in Humberside, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.

The money will go towards initiatives that aim to divert young people away from a life of crime and violence at an early stage.

Ministers have come under intense pressure over efforts to tackle spiralling levels of violent crime.

Plans for an Early Intervention Youth Fund were set out in the Serious Violence Strategy, which was published in April.

Announcing the recipients, Mr Javid said: “As well as taking immediate action to curb knife crime, we need a longer-term approach to prevent our young people from getting drawn into a life of crime in the first place.”