Tackling serious violence is not only the responsibility of the police. It requires the involvement of  the widest range of partners across different sectors, working together effectively through their local structures.

But also, at the heart of our work are the communities we serve across the Thames Valley. We work to ensure that our communities are engaged and involved and can play an active role in supporting  efforts to improve safety.

The workstream seeks to build capacity within local communities, community groups and the wider voluntary sector to bring additional capability to tackle violence.

The Communities & Partnerships workstream has built the VRU’s governance and operating model, through which partners are engaged, provided with strategic oversight and tactical coordination to support local delivery.

Community representation is achieved across VRU boards and structures, to support their involvement and influence over the programme of work.  In particular, a focus on young people and giving them a voice.

Our latest blog is guest authored by Annabelle Goodenough of Crimestoppers, as we support their latest campaign “Silence won’t stop violence”, urging people to speak out against crime and and violence.

The National Youth Agency Safeguarding and Risk Management Hub (The Hub) is a freely accessible online resource providing guidance, support, advice and access to training resources in relation to safeguarding and risk management for organisations and individuals working with young people.

The RAW Navigator Scheme offers children intensive one to one mentoring by a social worker to encourage and arrange positive alternative activities and access to additional support.

A Violence Reduction Network (VRN) is a multi-agency forum and action group committed to reducing violence in our local community. The primary aim is to establish a series of trauma informed schools within the network to act as the corner stone for further problem solving activity in the area. The network will share good practice, identify common problems and design local solutions.

Thames Valley VRU have established Violence Reductions Networks, led by education partners to embed trauma informed practice in schools to make them more inclusive.

Intensive Engagement or I.E, are currently working alongside the Violence Reduction Unit…

New Leaf, offer face-to-face mentoring programme which aims to support to young people that are at risk of exclusion and/or are currently within the criminal justice system.

The VRU have identified five hotspot hospitals across the Thames Valley Area and are working with those hospitals to set up hospital navigators utilising local providers who understand the needs of the local people