Keeping Young Londoners Safe report highlights youth safety work delivered by Watford FC Community Trust and wider London United network as new partnership with Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit announced
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New report shows Club Community Organisations invested £7.84m into youth safety work in 2023/24, delivering prevention and early intervention in almost all London boroughs, keeping 30,000 children safe and supported to thrive.
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Violence Reduction Unit and London United join forces to boost drive to continue decline in violence with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announcing further £6m in targeted and localised prevention programmes.
Watford Football Club’s Community Sports and Education Trust’s Head of Facilities and Inclusion Steve Williams, Youth Engagement Officer Elliot Bird, young participant Jeffrey, alongside Watford Football Club representative Stuart Timperley, and Club legend Lloyd Doyley, attended Wembley Stadium on Tuesday for the launch of a new London United report highlighting the youth safety work delivered across the capital by London’s Club Community Organisations (CCOs).
The Trust are part of London United, due to their geographical overlap with London and willingness to reach the wider Watford FC family passed Watford’s town borders, much as it does within Hertfordshire, for example, St Albans and Dacorum. In 2012, the Trust opened Cedars Youth and Community Centre, following a multi-million-pound investment, which is just 4.5 miles from the home of the Hornets, Vicarage Road Stadium. Whilst Club databases show well over 30,000 Watford FC supporters are based in England’s capital, and 13,711 within Harrow itself.
Keeping Young Londoners Safe, shows the breadth of prevention and youth safety work delivered by the 17 CCOs who make up London United. Latest data shows that in 2023/24, almost £8m was invested by CCOs in diversionary activities, targeted prevention and youth safety sessions. Collectively, the London United network delivered 100 individual youth safety projects across 31 London boroughs, supporting more than 30,000 children and young people.
Supporting Communities
Whilst London’s football clubs might be rivals on the pitch, London United joined forces off the pitch more than 11 years ago, recognising the strength of working in unison to support communities by providing safe spaces, youth work and activities for thousands of children and young people.
Alongside sustained investment and continued support from the Premier League through programmes such as Premier League Kicks which launched in 2006, and funding from the English Football League (EFL), London United network have been supported with funding from the VRU to deliver the likes of youth workers in custody suites, after-school diversionary activities, and the award-winning, community-led, MyEnds programme.
Prevention Programme Investment
At the event the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced his Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) is partnering with London United in a major boost to tackling violence and exploitation.
The partnership features a commitment between the VRU and the capital’s CCOs to work together during a targeted ‘week of opportunity’ for young people every summer. The Mayor also announced his VRU is investing £6 million in targeted and localised prevention programmes – some of which London United already help to deliver.
Joining the VRU Partnership Reference Group
Following the event at Wembley, London United will now have a rotating representative sit on the VRU’s Partnership Reference Group (PRG). The PRG is chaired by the Mayor and was established to provide strategic oversight of prevention and early intervention work coordinated in partnership by the VRU.
This will culminate in the VRU and London United coming together during the summer holidays every year to deliver a targeted week of opportunity for young people. CCOs will open their facilities, youth clubs and hubs, to provide a range of activities beyond football, which includes mentoring, music production, employability programmes and more.
Safer London For Young People
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
“I am committed to building a safer London for young people by putting them front and centre and ensuring we are providing investment, support and opportunities for those who need it most.
“Our approach is showing signs of progress, with reductions in homicides, knife crime and violence with injury in London. But it’s clear we need to do more and that’s why I’m pleased to announce a new partnership between the Community Organisations of London’s 17 Football Clubs, and my VRU.
“Working together, harnessing the power of football and the unrivalled role clubs and foundations play in uniting our diverse communities, fostering identity, pride and a sense of belonging, means this partnership could be a gamechanger in our efforts to keep young people safe and supported to thrive.”
Chair of London United, Freddie Hudson, said:
“Our longstanding contributions to help keep young Londoners safe is well known and trusted within our local boroughs. The Keeping Londoners Safe report by Substance has helped to shine a light on and elevate our youth safety work. The compelling data speaks for itself but it’s our unique ability to engage, work in partnership and London wide reach that provides a network able to deliver important protective factors and outcomes for young people.
“We welcome a partnership with the Mayor of London’s VRU which is a significant strategic step for London United. Together we aim to continue our shared ambition and commitment to young people in London and their safety.”
Premier League Chief Policy and Social Impact Officer, Clare Sumner, said:
“The Premier League provides inspiration and opportunity through the power of football across London, and we are delighted to see the capital’s club charities further expand their work to reduce youth violence through this important partnership with the Mayor.
“Premier League investment in London United and the club charities enables them to deliver a range of programmes, including Premier League Kicks – which will play a key role in this initiative. Launched with the Metropolitan Police in 2006, Premier League Kicks gives young people real opportunities and promotes community cohesion and safer streets for everyone. The programme has gone from strength to strength in London and is now delivered nationwide through 93 clubs working with 40 police forces, reaching 600,000 young people.”
Steve Williams, Head of Facilities and Inclusion at Watford Football Club’s Community Sports and Education Trust, said:
“Although Watford FC is a Hertfordshire-based club, our community work has been deeply rooted across Harrow and North Hillingdon for more than 17 years. We’re proud to be part of the London United network and to represent some of London’s most diverse communities. Through managing Cedars Youth & Community Centre since 2012, we welcome around 1,500 people every week. Activities for young people include youth club, Premier League Kicks, and dance sessions – giving them a safe space to learn, grow, and connect. Being at Wembley alongside our Youth Engagement Officer Elliot, beneficiary Jeffrey, Club representative Stuart Timperley, and Watford FC legend Lloyd Doyley, reinforces our continued commitment to keeping young Londoners safe and supported to thrive.”
To read the full Keeping Young Londoners Safe Report online, click here.
