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<p>As set out in the Serious Violence Strategy there are a range of complex factors
driving the increase in serious violence, most noticeably changes in the drugs market.</p><p>The
Government is investing £220 million in early intervention and prevention initiatives
to support children and young people at risk of exploitation and involvement in serious
violence. We have provided £22 million through the Early Intervention Youth Fund,
through which we are supporting 40 projects across England and Wales, and we are providing
£200million through the Youth Endowment Fund which is a 10-year fund to prevent young
people at highest risk of involvement in serious violence from becoming involved in
crime and violence. Both these funds aim to support vulnerable young people to seek
positive opportunities and lead lives free from violence and crime.</p><p>The Government
recognises that local youth services are an important partner in tackling violent
crime. In September 2019 the Chancellor announced £500million to go to a national
Youth Investment Fund. This is a significant investment which will go towards building
new youth centres across the country, refurbishing existing facilities, investing
in activities for young people which teach important life skills, and investing in
the youth work profession.</p><p>We are also providing £100million through the Serious
Violence Fund in 2019/20 to the 18 police force areas worst affected by serious violence.
£63.4 million of this fund was allocated to pay for an immediate surge in police operational
activity; £1.6 million was deployed to improve the quality of data on serious violence;
the remaining £35 million was invested in Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) which form
a key component of our action to prevent violence by understanding its root causes.
A further £35 million has been announced for VRUs for 2020/21.</p>
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