The Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland has launched a £500,000 community fund to address the root causes of violent crime.
On behalf of the Cleveland Unit for the Reduction of Violence (CURV), Steve Turner is inviting community groups, social enterprises, public sector bodies and non-profit organisations to apply for a share of the funding to support interventions that prevent people from becoming involved in violent crime.
Pressure on medical services
As part of the launch Steve visited the emergency department and major trauma teams at James Cook to find out more about how violence can disrupt and place pressure on medical services.
Vascular surgeon Barney Green, major trauma co-ordinator Karen Wood and emergency department consultant Cat Lane walked him through the journey of a knife injury patient.
“We see a knife injury every three days,” said Barney.
“We have enough work already. We don’t want young people going around with knives assaulting each other.”
This is the first major announcement from the CURV partnership, which was established earlier this year after it was announced that Cleveland will receive £3.5million over the next three years for a violence reduction unit.
“For every violent crime that takes place, there is a ripple effect that impacts the victim and their families, the police, health services and the wider community,” said Steve, who chairs the CURV partnership.
“We must get ahead of this problem. It’s about creating safe spaces where at-risk individuals can be given to the tools to live a happy, positive life – rather than becoming involved in crime and using violence without a second thought.”
Applications close on Friday 26 August 2022. For more details visit: https://www.cleveland.pcc.police.uk/how-can-we-help/community-funding/apply-for-community-funding/serious-violence-funding/