Blackpool 'one of the highest for risk of youth violence' in the UK

The resort is more at risk of youth violence than previously thought and must not be left behind according to violence education and prevention charity StreetDoctors, who carried out the research.

The research shows which local authorities in England are most at risk of high levels of youth violence. The top five areas are Blackpool, Salford, Kingston upon Hull, Liverpool and Southampton.

The report measured risk-factors to find where a large increase in youth violence is most likely.

High levels of adult violence, a high percentage of young people Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) and recorded violent crime are all factors that could see Blackpool having large increases in youth violence in the future, the report says.

A spokesman for StreetDoctors said: “It is well known that major metropolitan areas such as London and Birmingham have high levels of knife injuries, however this report shows smaller cities and towns are also at risk and lack support and funding to deal with the issue.

“For meaningful preventative approaches to be taken in smaller towns and cities StreetDoctors are calling for solid and long-term investment to prevent violence by tackling its many causes.

“Investment needs to include long term funding for the Government’s Violence Reduction Units.

“We also need more resources for local authorities to invest in preventative approaches including comprehensive youth services, educational support and employment opportunities.

“These approaches will help to prevent more young people, families and communities falling victim to youth violence.”

The charity, which teaches lifesaving skills to around 5,000 young people annually at risk of youth violence, is educating young people about the dangers and consequences of knife violence.

It has set up a new volunteer-run delivery team to reach young people Blackpool and has already spoken to Blackpool and Fylde police cadets, inset, who learned about knife crime and how to treat bleeding injuries.

Lucie Russell, StreetDoctors CEO said: “When we think of youth violence we think of it taking place in just our large metropolitan cities.

“This research forces us to take on the fact that violence is an England-wide problem, devastating the lives of victims, families, friends and the wider communities they come from.

“We therefore need solid investment in preventing violence through tackling its causes and utilising a plethora of interventions that start with the understanding that children involved in youth violence are vulnerable and need protecting.

“Young people themselves and their families must also be put at the centre of creating and delivering solutions.”

Chantal Rees, who is a training volunteer for the charity and carried out the research, said: “As a StreetDoctors volunteer trainer, I have seen the undeniable impact that a StreetDoctors session can have first-hand: empowering young people to believe that they are capable of saving a life.

“I am delighted that StreetDoctors has been able to expand to areas like Blackpool, highlighted in the research that so vitally need supportive interventions like ours.”