Violence Reduction Unit

Published: March 9th 2021

Kent secures funds for reducing violent crime

Matthew Scott, Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, has welcomed new funding from the Home Office, to fight serious violence, murder and knife crime.

The county will receive nearly £1.8 million pounds to help fund its successful Violence Reduction Unit.

Matthew Scott said, “This is excellent news. Kent Police force has worked hard to reduce violent crime across the county and their efforts are being rewarded. Last year the number of knife crime offences which involved serious injury or death fell by nearly 13%. We saw a reduction in the number of county lines drug gangs operating here, but there is more to be done and I welcome the continued support of the Government.”

The Violence Reduction Unit Manager, Chief Inspector Ben Loose added, “I am delighted that the Home Office is supporting the work of the Violence Reduction Unit into the next financial year.”

“The unit has worked hard to develop a strong partnership response to serious violence and we have already started to see the impact of this.”

“As we move towards the relaxation of national Covid-19 restrictions, it is ever more important that we take a multi-agency, partnership approach to preventing violence and harm amongst young people and this latest grant will enable us to continue to work effectively across Kent and Medway.”

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