The Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, has opened a new funding initiative to fight knife crime and serious violence across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The funding opportunity has been organised by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) which is a multi-agency approach that brings together local partners in policing, education, health and local government to identify and tackle the causes of violent crime.

The funding bids can be either for the delivery of projects and interventions or the purchase of physical items up to a maximum of £25K that targets people aged 25 years and under who are at risk of being drawn into or who are already involved in serious violence.

PCC Donna Jones said: “One of my top priorities as Commissioner is to prevent young people from committing crime, so I want to hear from expert providers who can really make a difference in reducing the impact and frequency of such serious violence within our communities.

“We need to ensure that we all play our part in tackling the complex issues of violent crime and this grant funding allows the opportunity for those with innovative proposals to come forward and bolster our commitment to driving down knife crime and serious violence among young people.”

To apply for the funding, which will be from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024, visit the PCC’s website at Apply for funding – Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner.

Applicants are urged to read the ‘Guide to Applying for Funding’ document online thoroughly beforehand and to also complete the Safeguarding Checklist Form.

The application window closes at 2pm on Wednesday 19 July 2023.