A KNIFE crime worker will be employed to work with schools in Basingstoke and Deane as part of major funding to support young people away from a life of crime.

Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has awarded £330,000 to 18 successful applications that applied to her Violence Reduction Fund.

In Basingstoke and Deane, £20,000 has been allocated to employ a knife crime worker for schools in the borough through Hampshire County Council and a £20,000 to No Limits for a youth worker to support young people at risk of serious violence.

READ MORE: MP and hospital chiefs give update on new Basingstoke hospital including consultation

Hayley Young, service manager for No Limits, said: “We’re really grateful to have been awarded this funding from the commissioner’s Violence Reduction Fund.

“This will allow us to work intensively with young people who are facing significant and complex challenges in their lives, helping them overcome these, learn to manage their emotions, and build their confidence in choosing positive behaviours.”

The Violence Reduction Fund was launched by the police and crime commissioner as well as her office’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and welcomed applications of up to £25,000 for either interventions or the purchase of items.

The fund is made up of financial contributions from the VRU Grant, the Serious Violence Duty Grant, and the PCC’s commissioning budget, and the funding is for up to December 31, 2024.

SEE ALSO: Watford man fined hundreds for Christmas Eve assault in Basingstoke

Ms Jones said: “One of my priorities as police commissioner is to make sure we have a greater understanding of the root causes of serious violence and to have effective diversionary support services in place to both prevent crime from escalating and prevent crime from happening in the first place.

“I’m really concerned about young people who are getting involved in violent crime or who are at risk of committing serious offences. This funding round provides vital opportunities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to divert young people into other choices.

“We have to continue to give young people every opportunity to step away from knife crime and serious violence, with education and early intervention, so that they actively choose different pathways that support them, and provide them with positive avenues that set them up for life.”