West Midlands Police to be given cash boost to help tackle knife crime
West Midlands Police is to receive a cash boost from the government in a bid to tackle knife crime in the region.
Chancellor Philip Hammond announced in his Spring Statement today that an extra £100 million is being made available to help ease the pressure on forces up and down the country who are facing the brunt of the country's knife crime epidemic.
West Midlands Police is one of seven forces that will receive a slice of this cash, along with the likes of Greater Manchester and London, although it is unclear at this stage exactly how much money each force will be receiving.
Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, has welcomed the extra cash, but has called for a "long-term funding solution".
He said: "Whilst this doesn't make up for the £175 million cuts West Midlands Police has faced, it will partially cover the extra funding needed in the short term.
"The Government needs to ensure that this money is focussed on the areas that need it most and also ensure that forces have a long-term funding solution."
The government hopes the extra cash will pay for police forces to have more officers available to respond to crime or patrol in communities.
"Part of the £100m will also be invested in violence reduction units, which, by bringing together the likes of social services and schools, adopts a public health approach to violence.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: "I welcome the news in the Spring Statement that the Government is putting £100m this year into the police, and violence reduction units to tackle knife crime. I have been calling for this, and will work together with the PCC to reduce violent crime here in the West Midlands."
The £100m is made up of £80m Treasury funding with £20m from Home Office reprioritisation.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who visited the West Midlands on Friday and met with the likes of Mr Jamieson and chief constable Dave Thompson, said: "I am deeply concerned by the rising levels of knife crime that is devastating communities and robbing young people of their lives and futures.
"I’ve been doing everything in my power to ensure we have the strongest possible response in place, but tackling this requires action on many fronts.
"Law enforcement plays a key role – and it is clear from speaking to police leaders in recent weeks that they need an immediate increase in resources.
"I’ve listened to their concerns and this £100 million – including £80 million new funding from the Treasury - will allow them to swiftly crack-down on knife crime on the areas of the country where it is most rife.
"This is on top of the £970m of additional money that policing is already due to receive from April from the Government and Council Tax."
