£1 million drive and youth workers to tackle city violence
Birmingham City Council is to spend £1 million in an attempt to reduce youth violence in the city, as it hires youth workers for the first time since 2010.
It will be partnering with the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office (PCC) to invest £1 million in tackling the issue, the leader of the council has announced.
Funding for youth services has been cut by around 82 per cent since 2010 and has had a knock-on effect on youth violence, with May 2021 seeing the highest number of incidents in a number of years at 792 and an average of 590 per month.
Speaking at this week’s meeting of the full council, the authority's leader, Councillor Ian Ward, revealed new funding to help tackle the issue.
“I’m deeply concerned by the levels of youth violence in our city,” he said.
“Young lives are cut short, life chances are ruined, families are left behind and communities are fractured.
“That is why, working with the PCC Simon Foster, Birmingham council is investing £1 million into tackling youth violence in this city.
“For the first time in a decade this council is going to be employing new youth workers who will be out and about in our communities supporting our young people.
“The council’s books are in the healthiest position they’ve been in for 30 years, and because we have managed public money sensibly, we’re in a position to announce this initiative which will lead to a safer Birmingham for everyone and especially young people.
“Early intervention is important, and that is why part of this £1 million investment will be used to fund youth workers among which will be a specific school youth worker who will deliver a program to young people beginning at the age of 10, which will help those children showing early signs of difficulties.
“Birmingham is a young city and a city of opportunity. But it’s absolutely essential that all young people growing up in every neighbourhood can reach their full potential.
“As we can see in towns and cities across the country, knife crime and other youth violence robs young people of a future, and robs families of sons and daughters.
“I’m determined that we’ll work with partners and with communities to tackle this scourge, because our children and young people deserve a safe and better future.”
