Project Guardian focuses on reducing knife crime and serious violence in Leicester
A major initiative to reduce knife crime and serious violence in Leicester is moving into its next phase after receiving Home Office approval for a series of targeted interventions.
Known locally as Project Guardian, the programme focuses on protecting communities, preventing violence and safeguarding young people in areas where knife crime and serious violence are most concentrated.
Using three years of police data, four priority areas have been identified:
Leicester City Centre
Bede Park
Rally/Tudor Road
Highfields/Evington Road
Project Guardian brings together neighbourhood policing teams, problem-solving officers, analysts, researchers, the Violence Reduction Network and a range of local partners to better understand the factors contributing to violence in these areas and develop tailored responses.
The project uses an evidence-based problem-solving approach, alongside targeted patrols, community engagement and prevention activities designed to address the root causes of violence and improve community safety.
The first stage of the programme focused on gathering and analysing information from police, partners and local communities to build a detailed picture of the challenges facing each area.
This work has helped shape four local action plans, which were approved by the Home Office in September.
While this planning work has been taking place, officers have continued targeted patrol activity across the four locations. Early results have already seen 25 weapons seized and 21 arrests made.
Partners are also supporting a range of initiatives, including community outreach, diversionary activities for young people, environmental improvements, CCTV opportunities and other place-based prevention measures.
Funding for the programme is being provided through the Home Office's Knife Crime Concentration Fund.
As well as supporting targeted policing activity, the funding is helping to deliver longer-term solutions that can become part of everyday neighbourhood policing and partnership work.
By combining enforcement, prevention and partnership working, Project Guardian aims to deliver lasting reductions in knife crime and serious violence while helping to make communities across Leicester safer.
