Funding boost for specialist centre amid fears of ‘youth violence epidemic’

The Scottish Violence Reduction Unit is to receive a seven per cent boost in funding to £1.2 million due to concerns about a “youth violence epidemic”.

There had been reports that funding was due to be cut, but Ms Constance said the increase proves the Scottish government’s “continued commitment” to addressing violent crime.

Established in 2005 in the Strathclyde Police region, the unit became a national initiative in 2006 and focused on treating violence as a public health issue.

Ms Constance said of the unit: “They take a long-term approach to violence reduction through prevention work and working to identify, understand and address the underlying causes of violence.

“To show our continued commitment to this issue, I have announced an additional £82,000 to £1.217 million to support the work they do this year.”

She stressed that the government’s approach to tackling youth violence “is focused on education programmes” in addition to “effective punishment for offences, appropriate police powers and sustained school and community engagement with young people”.

She added: “We have made it quite clear that no-one should every carry any weapon including knives at any time, anywhere.”