As a result of a successful bid from Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA), six leading youth groups in Croydon, including Be Inspired, Reaching Higher, Palace for Life, Mentivity, P4YE, and Play Place, will collaborate with the Metropolitan Police, Croydon Council, and local businesses to address the root causes of youth violence.

The strategy involves creating a town centre team to coordinate interventions for at-risk youth, establishing a monthly review of a local community plan against violence, and developing a youth voice framework through diverse engagement methods.

In announcing the award, Mayor Sadiq Khan hailed the investment as a crucial step in addressing youth violence:

Lib Peck, Director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has emphasised the importance of a community-led approach in tackling the multi-faceted issue that is youth violence:

Anthony King, Community Network Chair of MyEnds, has paid tribute to the brilliant work done over the past three years by MyEnds partners. He contextualised Croydon’s MyEnds project as stemming from the transformative period in 2020, catalysed by the pandemic and George Floyd’s murder. This period spurred innovation in community-led programs, from aiding vulnerable populations to reshaping the relationship between the police and young people.

Looking ahead, Croydon remains committed to transformation, focusing on youth work, local engagement, grassroots support, and collaboration with authorities.

For further information on Croydon’s efforts to reduce violence in the town centre, interested parties can contact Shalina Alabaksh at Croydon Voluntary Action – shalina.alabaksh@cvalive.org.uk.

For further information on ‘MyEnds’ programme, visit https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/communities-and-social-justice/londons-violence-reduction-unit/our-programmes/my-ends-programme