WIREDGOV

We're giving £400,000 to fund 49 projects aimed at young people at risk of being involved in serious violence.

Sport and physical activity are being used to try and help tackle serious violence and knife crime this summer.

More than 3,000 young people will be given places on sport and activity programmes to help keep them away from possible violence and crime.

As part of the initiative, announced today by Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Jeremy Wright, we're awarding 49 projects in London, the north west, west midlands and Yorkshire, a total of £400,000 in National Lottery funding.

The summer scheme comes on the back of the Prime Minister’s knife crime summit in April, at which the Government and sporting bodies agreed to work together on the issue.

“We’ve only started to uncover sport’s potential as a tool to engage young people at risk of being involved in knife crime,” said our chief executive, Tim Hollingsworth.

“Our insight shows that regularly active children and young people are not only happier and healthier, they are more resilient and feel a closer connection to their peers and communities.

“That’s why we're pleased to be engaged to support community organisations with National Lottery funding to connect with young people in knife crime hotspots where interventions are needed most.

“The projects will offer a range of sport and activities involving mentoring and coaching sessions to reduce the risk of being involved in serious violence and boost the number of young people experiencing the massive benefits of getting active.”

In total, more than 3,240 young people will benefit from the programme, with funded projects including extra midnight basketball sessions from Haringey Sports Development Trust, as well as 12 and 14-week sporting activity courses run specifically on Friday nights at Tottenham’s Broadwater Farm Community Centre and the Bidgley Power Foundation in Birmingham.

Click here for the full press release