The communities of Liverpool and Knowsley are to receive £150,000 to make specialist trauma informed support available to residents in the wake of the tragic shootings in the city.
Announced by the Home Secretary on Friday, the funding will also go towards mental health provisions for those closely affected by the killings of Sam Rimmer, Ashley Dale and Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Merseyside.
The Home Secretary also announced £350,000 to expand the ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ pilot to other areas in Merseyside affected by Serious and Organised Crime.
Home secretary Priti Patel said: ‘The whole country has been appalled at the spate of violence in Liverpool over the past couple of weeks, which has tragically left nine people dead, including 9-year-old Olivia.
‘The impact on the wider community is immense, which is why we are providing funding for specialist trauma and mental health support for those who need it, as well as expanding the ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ pilot to disrupt Merseyside’s corrosive and deadly Organised Crime Groups.
‘We will stop at nothing to drive down serious violence and ensure that fewer families have to endure the pain of losing a loved one in this way.’
Established in the Birkenhead area of Merseyside in January 2022, the ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ pilot has focused on reducing firearms and knife crime offences, while improving community confidence and delivering preventative programmes.
