Nick today welcomed the announcement of further funding to tackle serious youth violence in Greenwich.

The Tackling Knives and Serious Youth Violence Action Programme has been extended for a third year, providing over £5million to reduce serious violence among 13 to 24 year olds in 52 areas, including Greenwich. The programme supports tough enforcement alongside education and prevention programmes.

Crime in Greenwich has been reduced significantly in recent times, with total crimes down over 10% in the year to January 2010, compared with the previous year. Knife crime has fallen even more than that, with 24% fewer crimes in the period from April 2009 to January 2010, compared to a year earlier.

Nick says: “I am delighted that this important funding for tackling youth violence has been extended. The police in Greenwich work extremely hard and the recent figures showing falls in almost all categories of crime are very welcome. However, we must not be complacent. I meet regularly with the Borough Commander to discuss ways of reducing crime in Greenwich and Woolwich and will continue to do so”.