£400k cash boost to tackle violent crime in Staffordshire

The Home Office cash will fund a major project across the county involving police and other agencies joining forces to tackle the root causes of violence among young people.

It is part of the Government's £22 million Early Intervention Youth Fund, which aims to prevent youngsters from getting drawn into criminal gangs.

Earlier this year West Midlands Police was given £1.8m from the same fund, which will be spent over two years mainly on young people at risk of being excluded from school.

Staffordshire Police say the project is aimed at preventing young people from committing crime, including working with schools, supporting young people to develop resilience, and providing support to parents and families.

Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis, said: "The issue of violent crime, particularly involving knives, is being tackled head on, but even more needs to be done.

"Most places in Staffordshire do not have an issue, but some areas do. Enforcement by the police is effective, but that alone will not deal with the longer term societal challenges in some areas.

"Extra effort is needed to avoid some young people being lured into an environment of knives, 'gangs' and violence.

"It is complex, but often involves vulnerable youngsters who don't have the guidance or the support they need at a critical time in their lives.

"This extra money from the Government, on top of substantial sums I'm already investing locally, will help to tackle the issues now and also for the longer term.

"We must, however, be clear that this has to be a long term strategy, not just a short term fix."

Home Office figures show that violent crime in Staffordshire increased by 6.7 per cent in the year to April 2019, while knife crime prosecutions in the county are at a 10-year high.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid has launched a Serious Violence strategy combining "early intervention with tough law enforcement".

“In order to put an end to this senseless violence we must have a long-term plan that stops young people from turning to a life of crime in the first place," he said.

“This money will play a vital role in providing vulnerable young people in Staffordshire with support and opportunities that will steer them away from a life of crime.”