This funding will allow the expansion of local area reviews and targeted support offered as part of the government’s ongoing commitment to Ending Gang Violence and Exploitation (EGVE).
Sarah Newton, Minister for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability said:
Gang related violence devastates lives and I am pleased to announce further funding to tackle these appalling crimes.
It’s often the young and most vulnerable in our society who become ensnared in gang activity having been preyed upon by gang members.
This government is determined to do all we can to protect them by ending this cycle of exploitation and the crimes that inevitably go alongside it.
The £99,000 funding for 2017/18 was announced by the minister at a government forum held to bring partners – including from the police and key charities – together to tackle the issue of gangs.
It will enable a further 15 local area reviews to be conducted in regions who are experiencing gang related issues to assess their resilience and help address the issues they face.
Once the areas who will be reviewed are selected, an expert team will help local authorities and their partners map gang problems in their area, review how effectively they deal with it, and make recommendations to help improve their response.
Local areas will also be able to benefit from tailored follow on support to help them implement the suggested changes and do more to tackle the issue of gangs. This could include developing multi-agency action plans to tackle county lines, training and support, and help to develop relevant town and city centre safeguarding measures.
