Collaborative plan launched to tackle serious violence across Hampshire & the Isle of Wight

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, has pushed forward her commitment to driving down crime with a partnership approach to prevent and reduce violence.

The PCC has introduced the Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) which brings together 25 partner agencies from across the two counties including the NHS, Probation, Youth Justice, policing, local authorities, education and the Fire Service, to tackle the root causes of violence.

PCC Donna Jones said: “As Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, I chair the serious violence reduction board and through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 the Serious Violence Duty was introduced.

“This is a requirement for both police forces and criminal justice partners to do everything that they can, working with local authorities, to reduce serious violence. My job is ensuring that all those that have this requirement are fulfilling their statutory duty.

“We all know the devastating and tragic consequences that violence has on individuals, families and communities. Everyone deserves to live their lives free from violence and the fear of violence.

“Serious violence is a complex issue so this partnership approach is vital because the police alone cannot prevent serious violence. The collective responsibility enables all the agencies involved to come together to bring about positive change and safer neighbourhoods.”

Chief Constable Scott Chilton said: “Serious violence is one of the key priorities for the force and the damage it causes has to stop. Our communities are telling us they want their people protected and kept safe from harm. We can do this by working together within the Violence Reduction Partnership.”

Chief Fire Officer, Neil Odin, said: “Fire and Rescue services have a tradition of engaging with local communities to promote fire safety and to support vulnerable individuals. We have built strong relationships within the local communities we serve and are well positioned to play a key role within the local Violence Reduction Partnership.

“Safeguarding is a core function of HIWFRS, supporting and in some cases leading in risk reduction activities to those identified as being vulnerable and at risk from serious violence, exploitation or abuse. With serious violence touching the lives of so many young people, initiatives and interventions, such as our Prince’s Trust and Cadet programmes, and the work of our education team, provide vital opportunities to engage with young people on key issues as well as for them to learn new skills.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner’s Violence Reduction Unit supports the VRP. It delivers projects and interventions for under 25s steering them away from knife crime, serious violence and exploitation throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.