£2m funding secured for project which cut gun crime in Hackney by over 60 per cent

A partnership which helped cut gun crime in Hackney by over 60 per cent since it was launched by Hackney Council four years ago has secured £2m funding over the next four years.

The Integrated Gangs Unit (IGU), which was set up in 2010 to address gang violence has also cut serious youth violence by a third,

The Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime (MOPAC) announced the £2million grant as part of the new London Crime Prevention Fund – an £18m pot to help boroughs fund crime prevention projects.

Hackney Council has already pumped nearly £3m into the project, and applied last year to MOPAC for funds to help it continue its valuable work.

The IGU brings together the Met, London Probation Trust, Department of Work and Pensions and the Safer London Foundation, to target those who are in or at risk of joining gangs.

The team offer mentoring, education, training, help with job hunting and interview preparation, as well as treatment for substance misuse and mental health support, and if all else fails law enforcement is implemented.

Cllr Sophie Linden said “some really good results” had been achieved, which have helped save lives and improve the life chances of young people at risk of joining gangs.

“We’ve still got work to do, and the MOPAC funding we were successful in securing - along with funding from the council and our partners - will help us to continue this work to tackle gang violence.”