Essex’s police and crime commissioner has been handed £1.16 million to pay for a team to tackle violent crime.

Commissioners from 18 police areas will be handed a share of £35 million Government cash to pay for the Violence Reduction Units.

The teams will bring together different organisations – including the police, local government, health and community leaders – to tackle violent crime by understanding its root causes.

The teams will be tasked with identifying what is prompting violent crime in the area and coming up with long and short-term plans for tackling it.

The Home Office said the money is being allocated from a pot of £100 million set aside in March to tackle serious violence.

Essex police commissioner Roger Hirst said: “This further funding will allow us to invest more in activities that stop the vulnerable being drawn into a life of crime.”