Cambridgeshire: £350k in funding to tackle serious violence

Mr Preston is working with key partners to coordinate the delivery of something called the Duty to prevent and reduce serious violence.

The Duty, introduced as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, places a legal obligation on public sector organisations such as the police and local authorities to work closer together with the support of police and crime commissioners to tackle the root causes of serious violence and prevent unnecessary deaths.

It stresses the importance of early intervention to stop young people from being drawn into knife crime and serious violence.

Mr Preston said: "I am pleased the government is supporting local areas to implement the Serious Violence Duty and fund innovative projects built around the unique and diverse needs of young people.

"Violence shatters lives, and although Cambridgeshire does not have the intensity of problems experienced by some larger cities, we are certainly not immune.

"The causes of violence are complex and deep-rooted, but evidence shows early support is vital to breaking the cycle and helping young people stay on the right track.

"No single agency can resolve violence on its own, which is why I warmly welcomed the introduction of the Duty earlier this year to ensure the right agencies are joining forces to develop the right solutions.

"Working together, we can and will make a difference."

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As part of a package of measures under development, Darryl Preston has allocated Cambridgeshire County Council funding to support the delivery of enhanced youth work in Cambridgeshire involving young people aged 10 to 15 who could be at risk of being drawn into violence. The project starts this week.    

The youth work project will educate young people about the risks of serious violence and provide information about the support services that are available to them.

It will also help young people build a rapport with trusted adults in their communities and feel safer in the public spaces they frequent.

Councillor Alex Bulat, vice-chair of the communities, social Mobility and inclusion committee, said: "We're pleased to have been awarded £88,000 of funding for youth engagement work.

"This money will make a big difference through engaging young people in their local communities, helping them feel safer in public spaces and, by being better informed, avoid challenging and risky behaviours that are associated with violence and crime."