“A Bradford-based recording studio working with young people to stop them becoming involved in gun, gang and knife crime is one of four projects across the district to scoop funding support.
Waxworks Music Initiative has received £28,545 from a £2.3 million Home Office pot to tackle knife culture and support victims. The initiative’s co-director Ed Williams said the money will be used to run music production and DJ workshops. He said: “The money has come at a time when we’re in dire need. It sounds a lot of cash, but it’ll come over three years and will cover just a small portion of what we want to achieve. We need a lot more.
“We don’t turn everyone into stars but we see people we’ve helped go away and deliver music workshops themselves and develop in their own confidence and self-esteem – that’s what it’s all about.”
Some of the UK’s leading music producers and DJ talents, including drum and bass star DJ Kitcha, a regular contributor to BBC Radio 1 shows, will be involved.
One of Waxworks’ success stories is 21-year-old rapper Dorzi, who has been saved from a life of gang crime. Dorzi has been signed by record label Rumour.
The funding is part of the Government’s one-year extension of its Tackling Knives Action programme announced in March.
Other schemes in Bradford to have been awarded cash are West Bowling’s Dis’Arm Project, performing arts charity Kala Sangham, who received £30,000 to put on creative skills workshops, and Keighley Association for Women and Children, which picked up £11,000 for its Wise Up Crews working with 11 to 12-year-olds in schools.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: “The organisations receiving funding work tirelessly with communities at the very frontline of the fight against knife crime and demonstrate how at every level we are tackling serious youth violence.
“I am committed to making our streets safer by tackling the minority of young people who commit serious violence through enforcement, tougher sentencing, and stronger prevention, sending out a clear message that it will not be tolerated.”
Source: Telegraph and Argus
