Groups aim to deliver knockout blow to knife crime
Cleveland PCCA total of £80,000 has been shared between organisations aiming to tackle knife crime.
The grants, awarded through the Cleveland Unit for the Reduction of Violence (CURV), were available to charities and community groups.
Billingham Boxing Academy was among the beneficiaries, receiving £17,120 to help coaches run sessions twice a week, while St John Ambulance was awarded £14,240 to deliver first aid workshops.
Cleveland's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Matt Storey, said knife crime was a "significant concern" for authorities on Teesside.
Other groups to be given funding were:
- ARC Stockton, which received £12,350 for school workshops
- MFC Foundation, which was awarded £14,000 for school initiatives
- Budo for Change, granted £13,560 for targeted intervention such as combat sports classes, holiday sessions and mentoring for vulnerable people
- Education Training Collective, which will use £7,440 for a college-based education programme involving guest speakers
On a visit to Billingham Boxing Academy, Storey said: "Youth violence continues to be a significant concern for us with hospital admissions relating to knife crime remaining high.
"It is therefore paramount that we highlight the need for continued, sustained, coordinated action to protect young people and communities from harm.
"The creativity and passion demonstrated by Billingham Boxing Academy and all the other applicants has been remarkable – the selection process was incredibly tough."
CURV sits within the office of the PCC and is one of 20 violence reduction units across the UK.
It focuses on developing preventative measures, analysing the root causes of crime and bringing organisations together in partnerships.