Sussex receives £1.9 million funding boost to tackle crime
The money comes from a £130 million package from the Government
New funding has been announced to tackle crime in Sussex, including knife and gun crime and homicide.
Over £1.9 million will go towards local Violence Reduction Units and 'hotspot policing', which prevent nearly 50,000 violent offences across England and Wales.
In Chichester, the 'West Sussex Coastal Detached Youth Programme' is working to identify crime hotspots so early intervention can be implemented to protect local people.
Commenting, Local MP, Gillian Keegan said: “This funding is supporting communities and young people who are vulnerable to being sucked into criminal activity. Intervention and support are hugely important tools to protect vulnerable young people and prevent criminal activity from the get-go. Across the county, there is a range of targeted work ongoing and I am hugely grateful to Katy Bourne, Sussex Police, and all the partners involved for delivering on this life-altering programme.”
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “The Home Office’s commitment to the future of our Violence Reduction Partnership is welcome news and will mean that Sussex Police and partners will be able to continue to intervene, rehabilitate and divert people away from crime, especially young people. We know now that this approach, to learning more about and tackling serious violence, is working and I’m reassured that, in Sussex, partners are taking a positive, united stand against serious violence by working together to make a real difference.”
Crime & Policing Minister, Kit Malthouse said: “The very worst part of my job is hearing from families who have lost loved ones to violence and finding out that something could have been done to prevent it. We must do more to reach those at risk of violence early on to break the cycle of crime. Only then will we truly level up the country and give everyone the security of a safe street and home. We're throwing everything we have at this. At the heart, our pioneering Violence Reduction Units galvanise all parts of the public sector to tackle violent crime, and this approach is really starting to work.”