Grants up to £22k now available to support young people and community safety projects as two PFCC funds launched today
Today, Thursday 3 July, Essex Police Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst launches two funds offering grants to organisations supporting young people or community safety projects across Southend, Essex or Thurrock. The Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit Community Grant is now open for applications up to £22k and the Community Safety Development Fund 2025/26 is now […]
“No place for knives on Essex streets”
“There is no place for knives – of any description on our streets” Those are the strong words of Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst as a national surrender scheme on ‘ninja style’ swords is set to begin. From 1 July to 31 July a Home Office lead national surrender scheme will be […]
Response to Home Office evaluation of Violence Reduction Units
Today Roger Hirst, PFCC for Essex and Chair of the Violence and Vulnerability Partnership spoke about the recent Home Office evaluation into Violence Reduction Units. The report praises the work of VRUs and notices the impact they are having on crime, with a recommendation that central government continues to fund their work. Since the Essex […]
#ConnectBelongStaySafe
We’re excited to launch our new Essex VVU hashtag #ConnectBelongStaySafe, and we’d love your support in spreading the message across Essex! This initiative is all about encouraging young people to find safe, supportive spaces where they can thrive – and the Essex Youth Map is a key part of that mission. The Essex Youth Map shows […]
Acting on vaping in response to the Listening Project
During last year’s Listening Project, and at the Youth Voice Day in October, Essex young people shared concerns around vaping and feeling unsafe due to some of the associated behaviour around it such as antisocial behaviour. The young people had suggestions and produced action points about what they wanted to see change. It is great […]
Steering young people away from knife crime
Shows like the hit Netflix series Adolescence have put the spotlight on the issue of knife crime in 2025. Alongside our partners at Essex Police, we understand how children and young people interact with the police, and how any experience with the criminal justice system, will shape them and have far-reaching implications – not just […]