£400,000 to help tackle violent crime amongst youths in Cheshire

Today (Wednesday 26th June) the Home Secretary announced that Cheshire has been given more than £400,000 to spend on a major project to help tackle the root causes of violent crime among children and young people.

The project will involve a new outreach team to work with young people involved in drug dealing across Cheshire, and working with schools and families to keep young people at risk of falling into crime in mainstream settings and in positive alternative activities.

A programme of training will also be delivered to school staff so they are enabled to support and divert young people away from gang associated violence.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said "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.

"That's why our Serious Violence Strategy combines both early intervention with tough law enforcement.

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

David Keane, Cheshire PCC, said "Cheshire Constabulary and partners are very committed to protecting the public of Cheshire, and I am really pleased that we have managed to secure a significant funding boost for Cheshire to support our objectives to prevent serious organised crime and protect the vulnerable.

"The Home Office funding will provide the capacity for enhanced preventative working with young people aged 11 to 17 years who are at high risk of exploitation by criminals as a consequence of County Lines drug dealing, or other forms of violent organised crime in Cheshire.

"This ambitious approach will focus on early interventions in the lives of young people; reducing their personal risk from violent crime and providing them with positive 'alternatives' which will significantly enhance their future prospects as well as making our communities a safer place."

The funding for Cheshire is drawn from the final £3.3 million allocation of the Early Intervention Youth Fund.

The Government previously allocated £17.7 million of the Early Intervention Youth Fund to 29 projects endorsed by PCCs in November 2018. In addition, further funding was provided to PCCs for additional specific projects as well as £544,900 to the Evening Standard Save London Lives campaign.

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