A special unit designed to help tackle serious violence and prevent young people in London being drawn into it will receive £7,000,000.

The funding will be invested in Violence Reduction Units, which bring together organisations across local communities to tackle violent crime and address its underlying causes, as well as also funding vital local projects doing positive preventative work with children and young people.

Andrew Rosindell said he is delighted London is receiving the funding as one of the 18 areas across England and Wales, getting a share of the £35.5 million total.

The allocation brings the total funding targeted at violent crime up to £105 million.

In their first year of activity, initiatives funded by the scheme supported more than 100,000 young people, more than 51,000 of whom were identified as potentially high-risk of being involved in criminal and violent activity.

They also helped bring police, education leaders, health workers and local government together to share information about the causes of violence and agree a co-ordinated plan of action to tackle it, which is crucial to preventing crime at a local level. Today’s funding means that they can continue this vital work.

Andrew Rosindell M.P. said:

“I am delighted that the Metropolitan Police is going to receive an additional £7,000,000 to tackle the violent crime that has been robbing too many young people of their futures. I look forward to seeing how these funds will benefit Romford, as part of the London Borough of Havering

This funding will help bring together organisations to tackle violent crime and address its underlying causes, as well as funding vital local projects that do positive preventative work with children and young people.

Keeping Havering safe has always been one of my top priorities as M.P. for Romford, and I’m pleased the Government is backing our police with the funding, powers and resources they need, so that people everywhere can live their lives free from the fear of crime.”

Home Secretary Rt. Hon. Priti Patel M.P. said:

“Violence Reduction Units play a vital role in preventing young people from being dragged into the horrors of serious violence, and this funding will enable them to continue this crucial work. 

I will continue to back our police with the resources and powers they need to cut crime and make your community safer.”