£1.4m for projects tackling antisocial behaviour

A police and crime commissioner has unveiled £1.4m investment into schemes aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour, re-offending and other problems.

The funding will support 66 projects across Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said he was committed to prevention and early intervention.

"This funding will help ensure that people, families, businesses and local communities are safe, so that everyone in our region is able to flourish and thrive," he said.

The Labour PCC added: "This £1.4 million investment is about delivering real, tangible action and outcomes – supporting projects that prevent and tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and reduce re-offending across the West Midlands."

Birmingham has been allocated about £613,000 to support nine schemes.

These include £185,000 to investigate domestic abuse-related deaths and £115,000 to tackle modern slavery.

Additional investment will fund city centre anti-social behaviour officers alongside work to address serious organised crime and violence against women and girls.

In Coventry, more than £153,000 will pay for projects including mentoring for domestic abuse perpetrators, youth engagement projects and community wardens.

And Sandwell will receive £153,000 which covers initiatives such as a dedicated anti-social behaviour officer and mentoring programmes for young people.

Wolverhampton is being allocated £139,000 which includes investment in youth violence prevention, community cohesion and anti-social behaviour initiatives.

Funding across Dudley, Walsall and Solihull will support programmes such as youth mentoring, neighbourhood safety and targeted interventions for vulnerable people and those at risk of being exploited.

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