Home Office pledges £1m to prevent knife crime

21 May 18

A £1m funding boost to prevent knife crime will be available to charities in England and Wales, the Home Office has announced.

Community groups will be able to bid to receive up to £30,000 to support work in educating young people about the danger of carrying weapons.

Victoria Atkins, minister for crime, safeguarding and vulnerability, said: “Knife crime has devastating consequences for families and local communities and we are determined to provide necessary support for those most at risk.”

The additional funding comes from a wider £40m of funding from the Home Office, as part of its Serious Violence Strategy.

According to ONS data, knife or sharp instrument crime in England rose by 22% from the end of 2016 to 2017. 

Hundreds of charities bid for a £765,000 worth of funding last year to help prevent knife crime.  

A total of 47 charities across the country have benefited from the funding, including Coventry-based Positive Youth Foundation.

Rashid Bhayat, chief executive of the charity, said: “I would encourage organisations to apply to this funding round, as it will allow for much needed support and interventions for young people most at risk.”

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