Andrew has welcomed the announcement that Lancashire will receive £1.5 million to tackle the surge in serious violence which has been robbing too many young people of their futures.
This funding will enable Lancashire Police to have more officers available to respond to crime or patrol in the community.
Funding will also be invested in Violence Reduction Units, bringing together education, health, social services, housing, youth and victim services, to work together coherently. They will be able to jointly plan and target their support to young people at risk, to prevent and stop violence altogether.
The funding covers one year and is made up of £80 million Treasury funding with £20 million from Home Office reprioritisation for the financial year 2019-20.
This is on top of the recent increase in funding for the police system of nearly £1 billion, the biggest increase since 2010. Because of this funding, Police and Crime Commissioners are already planning to recruit around 3,500 extra police officers and police staff.
Commenting, Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: “On an almost weekly basis, we wake up to the news that another person has been stabbed. This is rightly causing national alarm, which is why I am treating this as a national emergency.
“This extra funding from the Conservative Government will enable police across the country to focus on the immediate steps required to bring the situation under control, while trying to understand why so many young people are veering away from the path to success and instead into a world of violence and crime.
“Before a young person ever picks up a knife, they have been the victim of a string of lost opportunities and missed chances. Nobody’s future should be pre-determined by where they are born, or how they are brought up.”
Mr Stephenson said: “I am delighted that police in Lancashire will receive £1.5 million extra to tackle the violent crime that has been robbing too many young people of their futures.
“The Conservative Party will always ensure that the police have the powers and resources needed to keep our community safe.”
