Call for £2m of extra funding from Government to tackle knife crime
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson is to ask for more money from the Government to tackle gangs and violence tomorrow.
Mr Jamieson is to meet with the Home Secretary Amber Rudd in Westminster. He claims the his office does not get the funding it needs to deal with violent crime in the region.
He wants the Government to match £2m he has put forward to projects including a two-year scheme which sees a team of 'gang negotiators' break up violence between rival crews.
Specially-trained mentors are also being used to turn young people away from a gang lifestyle.
A study by the Express & Star found violent crime in the region had gone up 13.3 per cent from 2016 to last year, up to 63,035 reported offences.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Jamieson said: “I will be highlighting the work of the Commission on Gangs and Violence to the Home Secretary and asking the government to invest in the safety of the West Midlands by matching my £2 million investment.
"That match funding will help to expand the planned projects to tackle violent crime, make our communities safer and give young people the opportunities they deserve.
“When violence strikes it plagues our communities indiscriminately, leaving victims in its wake.
“In order to help reverse the current rise in violent crime I am investing an extra £2 million from my budget to tackle the causes of violent crime, I want the government to match my commitment and invest in keeping the communities of the West Midlands safe.
“I hope the government listens to the excellent work of the Commission on Gangs and Violence and supports my call for match funding."
