Home Office hosts Midlands serious violence event
The Policing Minister, Nick Hurd, has today hosted the latest monthly regional serious violence event, aimed at tackling violent crime, in Birmingham.
The serious violence engagement events, led by Home Office ministers, bring together local partners to take action in communities. They raise awareness of the government’s Serious Violence Strategy, which places local action at its core. The events also highlight the national and regional support available, discuss local action already underway and spot new opportunities to work together to tackle the issue.
Over 100 partners from police, health, education, social services, youth offending services, housing, local authorities and the voluntary sector in the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Staffordshire and West Mercia attended today’s event at The Studio in Birmingham.
Speaking at the event, Policing Minister Nick Hurd said:
We are determined to support these communities. That means support for tough law enforcement, with more resources and powers for the police.
Just as important is our £17 million support for local preventative work that guides young people away from crime and bad decisions that have devastating consequences.
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson, said:
The minister’s visit to the West Midlands is very welcome.
I’m pleased Mr Hurd wants to see the problems we face in the region up close and today provided him with an opportunity to talk to victims and policing professionals alike.
It’s no secret that there is a serious problem with violent crime across many parts of the country and the minister has taken a keen interest in the innovative projects underway in the West Midlands.
As part of his visit to the West Midlands, Nick Hurd visited community police in Handsworth and went on walk around with local officers. If the local Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) chooses to increase the council tax precept, funding for West Midlands police will increase by £34.2 million in the coming financial year. The region also received £1.8 million from the government’s £17 million Early Intervention Youth Fund to support community groups and charities guide vulnerable young people away from violent crime.
Other speakers at the event included PCCs for the West Midlands, David Jamieson, and for Warwickshire, Philip Seccombe, as well as the West Midlands Chief Constable David Thompson, the Deputy Director of Public Health England West Midlands Dr Lola Abdulu, and Darren Laville from local charity The Epiphany People.
These events form part of the delivery of the 61 commitments in the Serious Violence Strategy and the government’s commitment to working with communities to strengthen their response to the issue and ensure everything is being done to protect young people from harm.