BBC Children in Need, the Premier League and the Premier League Charitable Fund (PLCF) are working together on a joint programme of work to reduce violence impacting young people in the communities in which football clubs operate. Over 2017-2019 eight Club Community Organisations (CCOs) were funded to deliver targeted work in their communities.

The programme was independently evaluated by the University of Central Lancashire who found that the Premier League and the local football club brand were important mechanisms for initial engagement and generally seen as a highly prestigious offer by young people. The work showed positive change, with a varied but downward trend in the key risk factors that relevant literature shows contribute to an increased likelihood of being a perpetrator of violence. Young people also experienced an increase in protective factors or positive assets. Most evident were reductions in anti-social behaviour and involvement in criminal activity, two factors that constitute significant risks for youth violence.

The full findings can be explored in the attached report.