· 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.

· 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.

Millwall Community Trust Community Manager Joubin Sarrami alongside young participant and Community coach Alysia Marcangelo 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).

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."

Alysia Marcangelo, a coach at Millwall Community Trust who started as a volunteer, told the BBC of her experiences: “When I got kicked out, my confidence dropped quite a bit and I just didn't know who I was," Alysia, who is now 18, said.

"I started to find myself again, I got to interact with like-minded people, and I got to see the smiles on the children's faces.

"It made me realise I can use all that pain to become a better version of myself."

Joubin Sarrami, MCT’s Community Manager said: “What a brilliant day at Wembley Stadium. We are all united in tackling violence across London.

“Together with the power of football we can keep young people safe and create opportunities. We are looking forward to seeing this partnership thrive.”

To read the full Keeping Young Londoners Safe Report online, Keeping Londoners Safe_October 2025.pdf