|
answer text |
<p>It is vitally important that we prevent young people from being drawn into violent
crime. The Government understands the importance of tackling this issue from all angles
– whether that is providing support to prevent young people from getting involved
in crime, or providing the police with the tools they need to bring knife offenders
to justice.</p><p> </p><p>Since 2018, we have invested £105.5m into multi-agency Violence
Reduction Units (VRUs) in 18 areas most affected by serious violence. The VRUs bring
together local partners to deliver an effective, joined up approach to tackling violent
crime and its drivers – and they have reached over 100,000 young people in their first
year.</p><p>We are investing up to £23m this year in new early intervention programmes
that will help stop young people from being drawn into violence, and our Creating
Opportunities Forum will provide meaningful employment-related opportunities and raise
the aspirations of young people at risk of being drawn into serious violence and knife
crime.</p><p>In addition, our £200m 10 year Youth Endowment Fund is testing what works
to divert young people away from serious violence.</p><p>This year, we have provided
an extra £30m this year for the police forces with the highest rates of serious violence
in England and Wales. This funding is supporting the police to deter and disrupt knife
crime in areas that need it most.</p><p> </p><p>However, we know there is still more
to do. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill includes a duty on public sector
bodies to take a joined-up approach to addressing serious violence; the requirement
for local agencies to review the circumstances when an adult homicide takes place
involving an offensive weapon; and Serious Violence Reduction Orders, which give the
police the authority to stop and search known knife and weapons carriers.</p>
|
|