Extra funding granted to continue problem-solving efforts in Staffordshire

Extra funding granted to continue problem-solving efforts in Staffordshire

More than £435,000 has been granted to help us tackle the main priorities of local people in Staffordshire.

The Staffordshire Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Commissioner’s Office has been awarded £435,585 to support targeted problem-solving activity and partnership work across the county.

It means that we can continue to drive lasting change in local communities, with the funding being used by problem-solving teams across our local policing areas to increase proactive patrols and reduce crime, with a specific focus on addressing the factors that contribute to knife crime across specific locations in Staffordshire.

Chief Inspector Scott Gidman, from Staffordshire Police’s Problem Solving and Intervention Team, said: “We fully recognise that delivering lasting change in local communities cannot be achieved by police alone, and this is why initiatives like this are so important for local people and businesses.

“By adopting a similar multi-agency approach, we were able to work collectively with our partners to reduce overall crime in targeted areas across Staffordshire last year, with notable reductions in serious violence and knife crime.

“We’ll be using a similar data-led approach with this new funding, allowing us to focus proactive efforts on targeted policing and partnership action in the areas that will benefit from it the most.”

Staffordshire Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Commissioner, Ben Adams said: "Although knife crime accounts for less than 1 per cent of all crime in Staffordshire, it has devastating impacts on individuals, communities and families. This funding will help us strengthen work already taking place between Staffordshire Police, local authorities and our wider partners to keep our communities safe.

"This is not just about enforcement. We know that the most effective way to prevent crime is for organisations to work together, share information, understand local concerns and address the root causes of violence. This funding will enable us to take a targeted, evidence-based approach, focusing resources where data and local insight show they can make the greatest difference.”