Andrew Rosindell M.P. has welcomed the announcement that the Government is making available over £130 million to tackle serious violent crime – including murder and knife crime – in the coming year.

The Metropolitan Police will receive £8,060,500 from this extra funding, as one of the 18 areas across England and Wales selected for targeted police action.

The total £130.5 million funding package includes £30 million to support the police to take targeted action in parts of England and Wales most affected by serious violence, as well as up to £23 million for a new early intervention programme that will help stop young people from being drawn into the cycle of violence.

In addition to this funding, today’s announcement also provides: £10 million to expand domestic abuse perpetrator programmes – working with offenders to help them change and prevent abuse happening in the first place, over £3 million to expand investigations into gang related material on social media, £1.6 million towards piloting the Creating Opportunities Forum which helps provide access to employment opportunities for young people at risk of serious violence, and £1 million to set up and pilot new homicide reviews – helping to prevent future deaths.

The funding package comes ahead of the introduction of a major criminal justice Bill, which will give police new stop and search powers to tackle known knife and weapons carriers, place a duty on public sector bodies – including police, education and health agencies – to take a joined-up approach to addressing serious violence, and require local agencies to review the circumstances when a homicide takes place involving offensive weapons, such as knives.

Andrew Rosindell M.P. said:

“Havering has always been one of the safest boroughs of London, but there has been a real perception amongst residents that issues of crime are moving from the city centre out to boroughs such as ours.

I am therefore delighted that Government is investing an extra £8,060,500 in the Metropolitan Police, to ensure that violent crime is tackled, and its underlying causes addressed.”

Home Secretary, Rt. Hon. Priti Patel said:

“I am determined to cut crime and make our streets safer, which is why we are recruiting 20,000 more police officers, introducing new stop and search powers and giving the police the resources they need to go after the serious violent criminals causing misery in communities.

But when it comes to gangs and serious violence, we must also tackle underlying causes. That is why we are investing in a new early intervention programme to stop young people committing these crimes in the first place.”