James Morris MP has welcomed new money for local projects to keep communities in Sandwell safe with preventative measures and support for young people, announced today by Communities Secretary James Brokenshire.
Sandwell will receive £372,520 to deliver a universal school based approach (primary and secondary) as well as 1-1 targeted mentoring programme and the roll out of Triple P parenting programme.
Across the country, £9.5 million will go to 21 areas to support earlier interventions to turn young people away from gangs and crime, making our communities safer places to live, work and enjoy.
The funding – part of our wider approach - will go towards support workers, community groups and teachers working with young people to safeguard them against gangs and knife crime in the first place.
Knife crime continues to be a real concern for communities in across the West Midlands, that’s why the Conservatives’ Offensive Weapons Bill will give the police extra powers to tackle knife crime and ban dangerous weapons such as zombie knives, knuckle dusters and death stars.
The Conservatives are going further to keep our streets safe. Our Police Funding Settlement will increase police funding by up to £970 million, the biggest increase since 2010, to ensure the police have the resources they need to keep our communities safe.
This builds on Conservatives’ Serious Violence Strategy, £200 million Youth Endowment Fund and we are consulting on taking a public health approach to tackling serious violence.
Commenting, James said:
“Crime is down since the Conservatives came to power but we are doing more to protect our most vulnerable families in Sandwell from the scourge of gang crime.
“One violent incident in the West Midlands is one too many and has devastating consequences for all involved.
“The projects we are funding offer real alternatives and hope to young people in Sandwell so they have the opportunity to get on in life.”
