Reducing violent crime in Wiltshire ‘top’ of PCC agenda

PCC is working with county partners to protect the public

Tackling violent crime remains the highest priority for Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

Philip Wilkinson says society is caught in a cycle of “violence begetting violence” and is bringing in partners from across the county to help reduce serious crime.

The Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) is made up of organizations such as Wiltshire Police, Swindon Borough Council, Probation Services, Wiltshire Council, the NHS, Fire and Rescue and the Youth Justice Service with a shared vision to reduce serious incidents of violence and to make Wiltshire and Swindon Safer.

The PCC said: “We know all too well the immediate damaging consequences of serious violence and what we then see is the secondary trauma associated with that incident being perpetuated and becoming a precursor to further harm and crime in our communities.”

Despite rates of serious violence in Wiltshire and Swindon being below national and regional averages, the impact can be devastating on victims, their families and the wider community.

Mr Wilkinson added: “We are caught in a trap of violence begetting violence and that is why a public health approach is essential in effectively reducing violent crime and identifying those most at risk of becoming offenders and victims.”

He went on to say that reducing serious violence was still “at the top of my agenda” and that by using the skills of the right organisations, it was possible to tackle not only the symptoms of crime, but also the underlying causes and consequences.

Funding for safety initiatives

Through the Serious Violence Duty, which places a legal duty on certain authorities to work together to reduce and prevent serious violence, the VRP received £210,000 from the Home Office to fund evidence-based initiatives focused mainly on professional development, early intervention and education.

To date, initiatives that have been funded include:

• Focused deterrence, piloting in Devizes and targeting known young people who are most at risk and diverting them from crime

• Street doctors, education sessions for children by youth justice teams that teach them how to treat and respond to injuries caused by sharp weapons or head injuries caused by violence

• WAY Beacons, A&E sailors from Great Western Hospital aim to break the cycle of readmissions, crime, violence and risk-taking behavior by engaging with young people aged 11-25 while in A&It’s also connecting them to ongoing support in their communities

• Trauma-informed practice, specialist training for professionals to enable them to better understand how previous trauma influences behavior and why adults and young people may react differently

• Swindon food truck, which supports young people to learn business and catering skills.

• Underpass Art Installation Youth supported by the Youth Justice Service teamed up with artist Dario Santos to paint the Covingham Underpass and improve the local environment for residents

Serious violence co-ordinator Natasha Gell said: “The partnership has developed a strategic needs assessment so we have a clear picture of serious violence in Wiltshire and Swindon, likely precursors, who were most at risk and public perception of serious violence in their neighborhoods.

“We are seeing positive results from the initiatives funded so far and will continue to work together to target those most at risk, while ensuring all young people have access to education and resources to reduce serious violence and make our communities more safe for all.”

The Strategic Needs Assessment provides an overview of serious violence in Wiltshire and Swindon and an analysis of why it happens, including the age groups of those most affected and geographical areas.

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