‘Whole-system’ approach for tackling violent crime “working” asserts Government

Established back in 2019, Violence Reduction Units are a pioneering initiative established in 18 areas across England and Wales, bringing together local partners in policing, education, health and the local Government sectors to share information in order to identify vulnerable children and adults deemed to be at risk, in turn helping to steer them away from a life of crime and violence.

Initiatives to date have included ‘Weapons Down, Gloves Up’ on Merseyside. This particular initiative improves the life chances of young people who are either out of the education system or out of work, engaging them through the discipline of boxing. Civil engineering companies are helping these young people to gain qualifications in the discipline of civil engineering. In just six months, 38 youngsters have received Construction Skills Certification Scheme qualifications, while 23 have begun full-time employment.

In Greater Manchester, a dedicated team of ‘Navigators’ work across A&E Departments and with members of the North West Ambulance Service and local communities in order to help young people recover after their experience of violence and prevent it from happening again.

Figures published following an evaluation of these Violence Reduction Units’ first 18 months of operation demonstrate the positive impact they’re having up and down the country. They’re changing lives and reducing violent crime.

Areas that have rolled out Violence Reduction Units and intensive police patrols in violence hotspots witnessed 8,000 fewer incidents of violence leading to injury and 41,000 fewer incidents without injury when compared directly with those areas that didn’t. This has resulted in an estimated £385 million being avoided when it comes to associated costs for the victims and society at large.

Reaching those at risk

Home Secretary Priti Patel commented: “While we will never let up on our relentless pursuit to see the worst criminals thrown behind bars, it’s quite clear there are many factors that can lead a vulnerable individual into a life of seemingly inescapable violence. If we are to succeed in our mission to level up the country, we must do more to reach those at risk of violence early on in the process in order to break the cycle of crime.”

The Home Secretary continued: “Our Beating Crime Plan is delivering 20,000 more police officers on our streets and galvanising all parts of the public sector to collaborate on tackling serious violence. This very approach lies at the heart of our Violence Reduction Units and we’re seeing some extremely encouraging signs of progress.”

While the number of hospital admissions caused by sharp objects among the under-25s was 19% lower last year than in 2019, there’s more work to be done. Spearheading a twin-track approach that combines tough policing with early intervention and prevention, the Government will inject £130 million in 2022-2023 to further drive down the most devastating types of crime (among them knife crime, gun crime and homicide).

The Government’s new funding package includes:

*an additional £64 million for Violence Reduction Units, supporting the 18 already in existence and enabling two new units to be established in Cleveland and Humberside

*an additional £30 million being fed into the ‘Grip’ police enforcement programme

*supporting the implementation of the new Serious Violence Duty and Serious Violence Reduction Orders, with them having been brought into law via the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

The Government has also confirmed that the now 20 Violence Reduction Units across England and Wales will have a guarantee of funding for the next three years. This will ensure they’re given the time and resource to see their central mission of reducing the most serious types of violence come to fruition.

‘Hotspot policing’

The ‘Grip’  police enforcement programme, or ‘hotspot policing’, involves police forces operating regular, intensive, high-visibility police foot patrols for short periods of time within specific areas where data analysis shows there’s a risk of serious violence. When first piloted in Southend-on-Sea in 2020, the tactic resulted in a 73% drop in violent crime and a 31% fall in street crime in the 20 highest crime hotspots on days when patrols visited, compared with days they did not.

The Government is also introducing the aforementioned Serious Violence Duty, which will require police, local Government, justice and health bodies by law to collaborate locally such that they can develop more holistic strategies designed to protect people from harm.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will bring in new powers for the police to proactively search those who are known to have previously carried a knife. Serious Violence Reduction Orders will steer more offenders away from a life of crime, while ensuring that, if they persist, they are more likely to be caught and more lives will potentially be saved (which is what Stop and Search is all about).

The new funding package works in tandem with central and local efforts to deliver on the Government’s strategy for tackling violence against women and girls, which was shaped by over 180,000 responses emanating from charities, academics and front line professionals.

Multi-year funding package

In a joint statement, Simon Foster PCC and Steve Turner PCC (the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ leads on serious violence) noted: “Police and Crime Commissioners have long been advocating a multi-year funding package for Violence Reduction Units, which are bringing partners together to reduce serious violence. We support a public health-focused approach. This settlement will allow for sustained investment in preventative programmes and early intervention initiatives to help keep our communities safe.”

Funded by the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership, the previously referenced ‘Weapons Down, Gloves Up’ involves partner organisations DT Hughes Civil Engineering and Site Safe. In just six months, it has helped 38 young people at risk of violence receive Construction Skills Certification Scheme qualifications, while 23 of them have started full-time employment.

Danny was 17, spending time on the streets and involved in drugs and weapon crime, when he found out about the ‘Weapons Down, Gloves Up’ project. He thought it was too good to be true. He explained: “What members of the young community need to do is sacrifice seven weeks and show pure determination to end up like myself. I’ve left this course with six recognised qualifications and a lifetime job opportunity that will be able to support my future family.”

Commissioned by Greater Manchester’s Violence Reduction Unit, the ‘Navigators’ project has also proven to be a great success. Emily (a fake name used to ensure anonymity for the victim) was referred to a ‘Navigator’ after ending up in hospital due to being with an abusive partner. The ‘Navigator’ supported her to access a domestic violence service. The latter was able to place her in a refuge, offer emotional support for Emily and her family and provide assistance in engaging with the police investigation.

Emily outlined that the ‘Navigator’ had “helped me trust the authorities so I could seek help. She has saved my life. I cannot believe there is a service out there like this.”

To date, over 300 young people have been referred to the ‘Navigator Project’ for assistance.