WECA mayor reveals violence prevention office plan

WECA mayor Dan Norris said: "It's a problem we all have to solve together"

A regional mayor has announced he will invest in a new office focusing on the prevention of knife crime and serious violence in a bid to "save lives" before incidents happened.

West of England Mayor Dan Norris confirmed the plans for the UK's first Office of Violence Prevention while visiting Empire Fighting Chance Boxing Gym in Bristol.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset Clare Moody said there was often talk about responding to incidents, but "prevention is how we save lives".

Mr Norris said: "Serious violence is a problem for all of us, so it's a problem we all have to solve together."

He added: "It’s an approach proven by other regions around the world.

"I’m delighted to be making this announcement at Empire Fighting Chance, who are already part of work to tackle knife crime in our cities and market towns, to give young people a chance to turn their lives around.

"Working with the police, NHS, and key partners, we can deliver a safer region."

Police commissioner Clare Moody said something needs to be put in place to give young people "hope"

Ms Moody said young people "need to have hope".

"This is not a policing issue alone and has to include partners working effectively to deliver prevention, intervention and long-term solutions that tackle root causes of knife crime," she said.

Plans for investment in the Office of Violence Prevention were set to come to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s Committee in January, officials said.