Violence reduction units ‘must continue to be funded to ensure their success’

The Home Office must consider the sustainability of funding to enable the future success of specialist units set up to tackle serious violence, a report has said.

An independent evaluation of the work of Violence Reduction Units, (VRUs) found that whilst “good progress” had generally been made by the units over the first year since their launch, the Home Office must ensure “the sustainability of funding” to ensure serious violence is tackled effectively in the long-term.

It comes as Home Secretary Priti Patel announced on Friday that VRUs will be distributing a further £2.9 million to hundreds of front line charities working on violence prevention projects.

In 2019, the Home Office announced that 18 Police and Crime Commissioners in the areas worst affected by violent crime would share £35 million to establish the specialised units, with a further £35 million provided for 2020/21.

The VRUs bring together different organisations – including police, local government, health and community leaders to tackle violent crime by understanding its root causes and driving a co-ordinated response.

The evaluation published on Friday found that more than 100,000 young people have received support from initiatives funded by the 18 specialist units set up to tackle serious violence.

In their first year, VRUs invested in 175 programmes designed to help young people at risk of being drawn into violent crime including prevention work in schools, communities, prisons, hospitals, Pupil Referral Units and police custody suites, the figures revealed.

Of the 100,000 people supported by the initiatives in 2019/20, more than 51,000 were identified as potentially high-risk or suspected to be involved in criminal and violent activity.

The additional funding will be directed to smaller charities providing critical front line services for children and young people to ensure they can meet increased demand as a result of the coronavirus pandemic as well as continuing their day-to-day activities, the Home Office said.

More than 300 charities will share the financial assistance, which is part of the £750 million package of support for charities announced by the Chancellor in April.

Ms Patel said: “I am determined to ensure we use every possible tool to stop violent crime happening in the first place.

“A key part of that mission is protecting children and young people and preventing them from falling into the clutches of criminals.

“It is encouraging to see the progress these units are making, but we will continue our relentless drive to deliver the safer streets the law-abiding majority deserve.

“Smaller charities work tirelessly in our communities and this funding will ensure they can continue providing life-changing support.”