Knife Harm Awareness Week and Operation Sceptre
“If there are two things I want people to understand, it’s that not everyone is carrying a knife – not even close – and that you should never think that carrying one is good for protection.” Those are the words of Detective Chief Inspector Ian Hughes, of Essex Police serious violence unit, as a week-long […]
Knife crime and getting stabbed still number one concern for Essex young people
(District, borough, unitary, city breakdown at end of PR) From December 2022 to March 2023 more than 1,560 young people took part in the fourth Essex Violence and Vulnerability Youth Voices Listening Project. Seventy-three youth groups across Southend, Essex and Thurrock asked their young people how safe they feel in their communities with the results […]
Campaign to raise awareness of knife harm
New research undertaken by the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU) shows that 69% of parents in Essex are concerned about knife crime in their local area. Two thirds of parents are also worried about their child becoming a victim of knife crime. The VVU has responded to these concerns by producing four short films […]
Home Office Violence Reduction Unit Evaluation
Last week the VRU (Violence Reduction Unit) national evaluation for 2021/22 was published. This is a report, commissioned by the Home Office, which looks at the impact of the 18 Violent Reduction Units in their first three years. Violence Reduction Units, of which the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit is one, have been funded by […]
The VVU turns Ultimate Ninja
Last week members of the VVU visited Ultimate Ninja in Colchester to meet some of the providers working across Essex, who use sport and physical activity to divert young people away from youth crime and violence. The event, hosted by the Active Essex Foundation, included inputs about the evidence and research that shows the impact […]
Youth voices project now live
We are really pleased to be working with Essex Council of Voluntary Youth Services (ECVYS) on the new Youth Voices Project. This helps inform us of the issues and concerns affecting young people across Essex. The results of the youth voices project, married with the VVU business case and priorities for work, help us direct […]