Mayor invests £1m in sports during holidays to reduce youth crime
'Invest in prevention'
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the mayor said prevention and positive opportunities would be more effective than trying to "arrest the way out of this issue".Last year, the mayor announced a £2m investment package in activities which he said would divert thousands of young people away from violence over the summer holidays.Sir Sadiq's office said the funding would provide internships for young people at major sporting organisations such as the Lawn Tennis Association, GB Snowsport and Formula E.
'Preventable, not inevitable'
Alongside funding for holiday provision, the LDRS said the mayor's investment in sport over the next year would support a further 1,000 young people who may struggle with the transition from primary to secondary school, by providing them with access to a trusted mentor.VRU director Lib Peck said sport and physical activity play "hugely important roles", providing opportunities to develop skills, teamwork and access to positive role models in coaches and youth workers.She added that providing positive activities for young people "is critical to tackling violence and whilst our work is having impact, it's clear there is more to do. "We're committed to working in partnership across London to keep young people safe because we believe violence is preventable, not inevitable."
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