Government published its first Serious Violence Strategy last week in response to the recent serious violent crimes, including knife crime, gun crime and attacks involving acid and corrosive substances.
The strategy highlights sport and recreation as an active, preventative solution to the critical public challenge. It also emphasises the role of communities and local partnerships in helping to tackle violent crimes.
An anti-knife crime Community Fund comes into effect later this year and could present an opportunity for sport and recreation organisations that work with young people at risk of involvement in violence, to bid for funding.
The strategy highlights the social value of sport and recreation by referring to Sport England funded programmes aimed at young people, particularly those vulnerable to involvement in violence. It discusses programmes which target areas with high deprivation and crime rates where mental health issues within the young male population are prevalent.
Volunteering is also documented as an important intervention to provide young people with new skills and confidence, particularly through the National Citizen Service (NCS).
This positive recognition of how sport and recreation is and can be a preventative tool presents an opportunity for our members and the wider sport and recreation sector to contribute even further to this societal issue.
Key recommendations from the strategy include:
Funding opportunities
Supporting communities and local partnerships
Anti-knife crime Community Fund
Ending Gang Violence and Exploitation (EGVE)
Government
Inter-Ministerial Group on the Serious Violence Strategy
Legislation
The Serious Violence Strategy is an opportunity for sport and recreation organisations to build on the recognition of how physical activity can contribute to reducing serious crime. We will be looking out for further information on the development of the strategy and opportunities for our members to bid for funding.
If you have any questions about the strategy, please contact the policy team policy@sportandrecreation.org.uk.
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