'This is just the start' as £1 million pledged to help support after shootings

More than £1 million of extra funding was announced last night for all those affected by last month's mass shooting in Plymouth.

Author: Andrew KayPublished 23rd Sep 2021
Last updated 23rd Sep 2021

Crime, Policing and Justice Minister Kit Malthouse spoke last night in the Commons and pledged 'initial Government funding to help support the Keyham community in recovering from the terrible tragedy' last month.

The comments were in response to a Commons Adjournment Debate secured by Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport.

The pledge included:

£800,000 to be invested into community safety and policing to help rebuild confidence and reassure people that Keyham is a safe place to live, work and go to school.

Over £300,000 for the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Police and Crime Commissioner to commission additional support services for the victims and witnesses.

Further case workers and specialist emotional support will be made available to help children and young people who witnessed the acts of violence.

An additional 130 spaces for local mental health services.

The minister also acknowledged that conversations were also underway about additional support for children through schools.

Mr Malthouse praised the city’s response to the tragedy, including the Plymouth Together Campaign, saying it was something that Keyham could be ‘incredibly proud’ of. He also thanked Luke Pollard MP for raising the issue and for his constructive dialogue with ministers.

He said: “I know that the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Victim Support, Plymouth City Council and other local partners have done outstanding work in supporting those impacted by this incident, drawing in support from across the entire city and I would like to express my gratitude for their constructive and proactive approach.”

The announcement follows a submission of a funding bid to the Government to ensure a wide of agencies can continue to provide both immediate and long term support to those who have been impacted by the tragedy, as well as for the wider community.

A spokesperson for Plymouth City Council added: "Since the tragedy on 12 August, the City Council has worked with MPs and partners, including Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez, to agree plans for how the community can be supported and press the Government for urgent confirmation that additional resources will be made available."

Luke Pollard MP said: “Over the past few weeks I’ve been making the case to Ministers for this cross-party bid for funding to provide Keyham with the long-term support we need, so this announcement is very welcome.

“This is just the start though. The support put into Keyham and Ford has been incredible so far but we will need Government to help us sustain it.

“We will continue to press Ministers for confirmation of the support we need from their departments.”

Plymouth City Council Leader Nick Kelly said: “This announcement is very welcome news and we are grateful to Luke Pollard MP for raising it again in the Commons and securing this funding.

“However, this is only part of the picture and we will continue working together to ensure all Government departments step up and deliver on initial promises to help us ensure we can provide the right level support to the community in the future.

“We all remain united in our determination to make sure everything possible is done to help those affected by this appalling tragedy. The response from all partners so far has been amazing but given the scale of the impact on the community and the levels of ongoing support that will be needed over the coming weeks, months and years, further funding from the Government will be critical.”

Support for Keyham residents

Plymouth City Council confirmed last night: "Since 12 August, dozens of organisations have rallied together to provide support for Keyham – this includes helping local people through an extensive outreach programme to make sure people are able to access the care and wellbeing help they need and ensuring that the many tributes that have been left around the community have been sensitively removed so they can be preserved for the families in the future.

"Over the weeks and months ahead, support will continue to be offered from a range of different venues, and using face to face and virtual support – we are currently trialling a Community Hub’ initially based at Keyham Green Places,163 Renown Street, open 11am to 4pm.

"The people of Plymouth are also being asked to help support the community, and come together to raise money through the new Plymouth Together Fund. Thousands of pounds has already been donated to various charities, groups and organisations to help support the communities impacted by the tragedy and help them rebuild and restore.

"The wider community are now being asked to support the Fund and help with the fundraising effort – considering ideas such as bake sales, sponsored bike rides, car washing challenge or holding a pub quiz.

"To help co-ordinate the fundraising, and ensure that funding is collected safely and distributed to those who need it, the Wolseley Trust is the co-ordinating ‘hub’ for the collections. Working arm-in-arm with the community, they will then distribute the funding to the families of the victims and also to other local projects, groups and activities that support the recovery of the area.

"Lots of information is available on www.plymouthtogether.co.uk giving people ideas and suggestions for fundraising activities.

"If you would like to discuss your ideas for fundraising, or ask for help / offer support, email plymouthtogether@plymouth.gov.uk"

To watch the full debate last night click here