Increased support to reduce gang violence

The Home Office has announced it will work with nine areas to support them in tackling gang violence and exploitation.

The nine areas due to receive support include: Basildon; Grimsby; Harrow; Hastings/Eastbourne; High Wycombe; Medway; Sefton in Merseyside; Southampton; and Swindon. Ministers hope that they can better understand gang-related violence and share effective ways of dealing with local challenges.

Karen Bradley, minister for preventing abuse and exploitation, claimed the new policy would specifically focus on reducing knife violence, diverting young people away from gangs, safeguarding girls and tackle the abuse of vulnerable people in the drug trade.

Bradley said: “Gang and youth violence has a devastating impact on young people, their families and local communities.

“That’s why today we are providing more targeted support, which will allow local police and authorities to identify how best to address local challenges and identify the right measures to tackle gang-related violence and exploitation.”