Sports charities share £5m government funding to divert young people away from crime

Charities are among 200 sports, youth and leisure organisations to share £5m in government funding to divert young people away from crime.

The money has been announced by the Ministry of Justice and made through the youth justice sports fund to offer activities to young people to keep them away from crime and anti-social behaviour.

This is part of a £60m investment in early intervention made earlier this year by the MoJ.

Among charities to benefit at Bromsgrove Youth and Community Hub in Worcestershire, the Yorkshire based STAR Youth Project and Reflecteen in Manchester.

Others include Liverpool’s Anfield Boxing Club and London based Restorative Justice for All (RJ4ALL).

"We believe every young person should get the best start in life,” said charities, youth and sport minister Stuart Andrew.

“Doing sport is a brilliant way of building focus and discipline while also improving physical health and stopping people becoming involved in crime. This funding will help make sure people are set on the right path from the outset."

The fund has been coordinated by sport and physical activity charity StreetGames and the Alliance of Sport for Criminal Justice with support from sport charity umbrella group Sport for Development Coalition.

“Sport has the power to boost confidence, build resilience and teach discipline, and evidence suggests sport can be effective in reducing offending among young people."@DominicRaab visits @ThruLife2 to launch @MoJGovUK Youth Justice Sport Fund: https://t.co/69ULwMqXp1 #OpenGoal pic.twitter.com/lcE75ESlig
— Alliance of Sport (@AllianceOfSport) January 21, 2023

“This investment in sport will support voluntary and community sports organisations to carry out targeted work to enhance positive outcomes for vulnerable children, providing the practical and emotional support they need to grow and helping to keep them and their communities safe,” said StreetGames sport and community safety director Stuart Felce.

Sport for Development Coalition executive director Hitish Patel added: “We are delighted to be working alongside StreetGames and the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice to ensure this new funding supports and strengthens those organisations that can already demonstrate the positive social impact they are having on their local communities.”