Mayor's £1m sports funding 'to reduce youth crime'

The mayor's funding will start this Easter and support almost 2,000 young people

The mayor of London has announced a £1m year-long investment into sports activities during school holidays, in an attempt to divert youngsters from violence.

Sir Sadiq Khan's funding will start at Easter and support almost 2,000 Londoners at up to 20 community-led projects, working in partnership with his Violence Reduction Unit (VRU).

It follows a similar initiative last year, when research from the mayor's office for policing and crime found violence affecting young people traditionally peaks in the summer.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed last week that budget shortfalls mean 1,700 officers, PCSOs and staff posts will be cut, including officers stationed in schools.

Chris Hall, principal of the Footsteps Trust, which operates a secondary school with safe school officers within it, said the officers had been a positive presence.

He told BBC London that the officers can build a positive relationship between pupils and can prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.

"Without those people in our schools, I think those areas of activity will greatly increase," Mr Hall said.

In response, the mayor said he wanted to see these officers redeployed "outside schools targeting gang leaders".

'Invest in prevention'

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the mayor said prevention and positive opportunities would be more effective than trying to "arrest the way out of this issue".

Last year, the mayor announced a £2m investment package in activities which he said would divert thousands of young people away from violence over the summer holidays.

Sir Sadiq's office said the funding would provide internships for young people at major sporting organisations such as the Lawn Tennis Association, GB Snowsport and Formula E.

'Preventable, not inevitable'

Alongside funding for holiday provision, the LDRS said the mayor's investment in sport over the next year would support a further 1,000 young people who may struggle with the transition from primary to secondary school, by providing them with access to a trusted mentor.

VRU director Lib Peck said sport and physical activity play "hugely important roles", providing opportunities to develop skills, teamwork and access to positive role models in coaches and youth workers.

She added that providing positive activities for young people "is critical to tackling violence and whilst our work is having impact, it's clear there is more to do.

"We're committed to working in partnership across London to keep young people safe because we believe violence is preventable, not inevitable."