Nottinghamshire Police will be given extra money to tackle violent crime this autumn using intensive, high-visibility police patrols.
The force will receive the funding as a part of the Hotspot Policing tactic, where areas at risk of serious violence are patrolled regularly for short periods of time.
It is one of the 18 police forces across England and Wales that will receive a share of an additional £4.12m to roll out Hotspot Policing in high-crime areas in the county.
Nottinghamshire was determined by hospital admissions data from 2015/16 and 2019/20 to be one of the by regions most affected by serious violence, which is why it is receiving the extra funding.
Data analysis will inform which areas are most at risk of violent crime and where the patrols should be targeted.
First piloted in Southend-on-Sea in 2020, the tactic resulted in a 73.5 per cent drop in violent crime and 31.9 per cent fall in street crime in the 20 highest crime hotspots on days when patrols visited, according to the Home Office
Other trials have reportedly similar results - a recent hot spot operation by Bedfordshire Police across 21 neighbourhoods saw harm from serious violence drop by 44 per cent on patrol days.
Leicestershire, South Yorkshire and West Midlands police forces will also receive the funding boost.
Policing Minister Kit Malthouse, said: “The Government is working hard to confront violence in all its forms and make neighbourhoods safe.
“People want police officers visible on their streets, stopping violence and protecting people from harm and exploitation.
“That is what our smart new approach to hotspot policing does and I am delighted to see the tactic is already reducing high harm crime in some areas and look forward to this success being replicated in other towns and cities across the country.”
National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Serious Violent Crime, Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Sebire, said: “The damage caused to lives, particularly young ones, by violence is incredibly serious and tackling this issue is a priority for policing across the country.
“There is good evidence that when done effectively, hotspot patrols can have a sustained impact on violence reduction. This additional funding is greatly welcomed as it will build on our understanding of what works.
“The Hotspots strategy, in combination with the partnerships police have formed with violence reduction units, shows our commitment to supporting communities and our young people in the prevention of serious youth violence.”
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