04.10.18
Javid unveils public sector anti-violence duty in £200m move
Home secretary Sajid Javid has announced a £200m fund to help councils and local services target young people at risk of violent crime.
The aim is for a range of different bodies to come together in a multi-agency effort to tackle violent crime amongst young people.
Speaking at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, the home secretary said: “We will take steps to introduce a statutory duty for all agencies to tackle this problem together.
“That means those in health, education, social services, local government, housing – the whole lot.”
Responding to the announcement, Cllr Simon Blackburn, chairman of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: “Tackling serious violent crime is a key priority for councils, which has become even more vital due to rising levels of this type of crime and the harm it causes to victims and young people drawn and exploited into committing it.
“This funding is a positive step to help the multi-agency approach needed to identify and tackle the main drivers and risks of people committing serious violence, such as acid attacks, knife and gun crime, robbery and ‘county lines’ drug gangs.”
However, Cllr Blackburn noted that as the home secretary highlighted drug abuse as one of the leading causes of violent crime, he should also reverse to public health budgets to further help tackle violent crime.
David Merzoeff PA Wire
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