Violence Reduction Unit - Northumbria PCC

What is the Violence Reduction Unit?

My Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit is built on the belief that if we improve lives we can prevent crime, especially violent crime.

We approach violence the same way we would a disease – recognising the symptoms, understanding the causes and then stopping its transmission, helping people to avoid it and giving people the tools they need to tackle it.

This will include taking a direct approach to intervening with those who are showing signs of vulnerability or are on the fringes of criminal/anti-social activity, working with those who could become the biggest risk to others, alongside key services and organisations.

Vulnerable Adults Supported

200

Professionals Trained

3700

Young People Engaged In Phase 2

13500

Students Upskilled By Our Education Team

Educational Resources

My Violence Reduction Liaison Officers can deliver sessions to young people in schools or in other settings such as youth groups. Their sessions are informative, impactful and interactive with a focus on prevention and general awareness.

Here you can find resources relating to knife crime, malicious communications, child criminal exploitation and more.

Response Strategy

In Northumbria we want to improve lives to prevent crime. By using a public health approach, we are able to better understand the causes of violent crime and work more effectively to stop it escalating. My Violence Reduction Unit will achieve that aim by working with others to stop violence before it starts, halt its progression and provide ways out for people already trapped in violent behaviour.

Funding and Commissioning

At the start of Phase 3 (April 2021), my VRU have now commissioned over £5million worth of work across Northumbria to improve lives to prevent crime. Here you will be able to see the projects involved, and any current funding opportunities.