The Mayor of London has announced £1.5 million to deliver measures to keep young people safe over the summer.
The Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) will deliver hundreds of diversionary activities.
The plans will building the the VRU and London United partnership announced by the Mayor last October, a new Premier League Kicks partnership work will continue to create safe spaces and provide targeted support for young Londoners.
Evidence shows that young people are more vulnerable to exploitation and violence during the summer.
A new year-long partnership has been announced between London’s Violence Reduction Unit, the Premier League and 11 professional London football club charities. The reach of professional football clubs will be used to support young people through sport, mentoring and employability activities aimed at strengthening community relationships and reducing young people’s risk of involvement in violence and exploitation.
This partnership will be backed by almost £700,000 investment from across the VRU, the Premier League via the Premier League Foundation, and London United, which represents the charities of all professional football clubs in the capital. They will work with London’s VRU to provide positive opportunities for young people during the crucial holiday period.
The new £1.5m package builds on the Mayor’s £100m investment in young people and his public‑health approach to reducing violence. ONS data shows this strategy is delivering results, with knife crime down 15 per cent in the past year. Since 2019, the VRU has supported more than 500,000 young people through prevention and diversion programmes, contributing to a sustained fall in violence. Hospital admissions for knife injuries among young people have dropped by over 50 per cent.
A £600,000 allocation from the VRU’s Stronger Futures programme will fund structured holiday activities for 8–18‑year‑olds, with all providers supplying food for young people to take home. A further £130,000 will boost summer sports and activities in areas with limited provision. Across nine neighbourhoods, the VRU’s MyEnds network will expand its holiday offer, engaging up to 18,000 young people through youth clubs, mentoring, trips, sports and creative arts.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “My mission is to ensure London is the safest and best city in the world for young people to grow up in, offering them the same support and opportunities this city gave to me.
“I am incredibly proud that my Violence Reduction Unit has joined forces with the Premier League and London’s football club charities to scale up activities and positive opportunities for young people this summer.
“This partnership builds on the £100m investment in young Londoners and is a vital component of our wider summer funding package, designed to give young Londoners a helping hand as we work together to build a fairer, safer city for everyone.”
Lib Peck, Director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, said: “The summer holidays shouldn't be a time of risk, yet we know that without the safety and structure that school provides, many young people are more vulnerable to exploitation and violence. Providing safe spaces and activities they want to be involved in during these months is absolutely vital to keeping them safe.
“I am really pleased that our ongoing work with London United has paved the way for this powerful new team-up with the Premier League. Together, we are securing crucial investment for the capital and expanding the reach of the Premier League Kicks programme.
“This initiative will work hand-in-hand with our broader VRU holiday programmes and City Hall funding, ensuring that young Londoners aren't just protected over the summer, but are actively supported to thrive.”
