£25,000 funding to tackle young people's involvement in serious violence
Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw welcomed funding to support a project, developed by Preston Vocational Centre, that aims to reduce the involvement of young people in serious violence and criminal exploitation.
Almost £25,000, granted from the Home Office through the Early Intervention Youth Fund, will be provided to the Twilight project, developed by Preston Vocational Centre (PVC) in consultation with partners, including the Preston Community Safety Partnership.
Twilight will provide a universal offer of engagement and support in the early weekday evenings outside of school hours and will provide a positive diversion for young people which is off the streets in a safe and stable environment.
Working with those who are at risk of becoming involved in serious violence and organised crime, structured sessions, helping young people before they reach crisis point and also challenging perpetrators and explore what impact their actions have had on their victims.
Martin Grayston, Centre Manager said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to deliver the Twilight project granted by the Home Office through the Early Intervention Youth Fund. The objectives are to engage them into a positive activity which will help reduce young people’s involvement in serious violence and criminal exploitation by engaging young people in positive activities. We aim to deliver quality training in various construction trades to the young people, which will help in developing their skills, increasing their confidence, motivation and employability and providing opportunities in chosen occupations”.
Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner said: "Tackling crime and reoffending and developing safe, confident communities are key priorities in my Police and Crime Plan, with the Twilight project set to play a vital role in challenging anti social behaviour and violence which cannot be tackled by policing alone.
"Working in partnership across different agencies, this project will reach young people before they get involved in criminal activity and into the justice system and also helping those who already have done so to reintegrate into the community.
"I am looking forward to seeing the project progress and to see for myself the difference that it will make, highlighting how early intervention has an important role to play in keeping the people of Lancashire safe."