Premier League programme to steer young people from violence

Officers from Derbyshire have been working together with Derby County and the Premier League to kick off a programme steering young people away from violence.

Derby County Community Trust has secured funding from the Premier League Kicks Police Partnership Fund to address drug-related serious violence among young people across Derbyshire.

The £20,000 that the Trust has received from the Premier League will go to deliver this hands-on project and regularly engage young people at risk in football – giving them a positive outlet, peer support and personal development opportunities.

This has been match funded by Derbyshire Constabulary as part of the force’s prevention work.

Inspector Ben Frearson, from Derbyshire Constabulary, said: “It is so important for young people at risk of becoming involved in crime to have somewhere they feel like they belong.

“The Premier League Kicks programme will be a great opportunity for them to get involved in something extremely positive, as well as be part of a group and meet people their own age through a love of football.

“Preventing crime is key to our work. This is absolutely a preventative measure, and by intervening with these young people early, we know this can make a massive difference in the future path that they take.

“It has been great to work alongside Derby County Community Trust and embed this, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it has on those who come through it.”

Inclusion Team Leader, Zack Yates, said; “This funding will give us the chance to reach young people long before violence reaches them.

“It means we can step in with support, guidance and real opportunities at the moment they need it most. Ultimately, promoting safer futures within our local communities.”

Derby County Community Trust is one of more than 40 professional football club charities across England and Wales to receive a share of £900,000 of funding from the Premier League to develop Police Partnerships projects aimed at strengthening community relationships and reducing the risk of reoffending.

This Premier League investment is match funded by police forces, alongside additional contributions from statutory partners including Violence Reduction Units and Police Crime Commissioners.

Together, this brings the total investment into local communities to more than £2 million.