Wiltshire and Swindon agencies have united to form a Violence Reduction Partnership, aiming to prevent serious violence and divert those most at risk of committing violent offences.

Brought together by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, organisations involved in the initiative include Wiltshire Police, Swindon Borough Council, Probation Services, Wiltshire Council, NHS, Fire and Rescue, and the Youth Justice Service.

The organisations share a vision of reducing the incidence of serious violence to help make Wiltshire and Swindon safer.

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

Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, said: "We know all too well the immediate harmful consequences of serious violence and what we then see is the secondary trauma associated with that incident being carried forward and becoming a precursor to further harm and offences in our communities.

"We find ourselves caught in a trap of violence breeding violence and that’s why a public health approach is key in effectively driving down violent offences and identifying those most at risk of becoming offenders and victims.

"Reducing serious violence remains top of my agenda, and with the right organisations at the table we can address not only the symptoms of crime but also the underlying causes and consequences."

The Serious Violence Duty mandates a cooperative approach among specified authorities to prevent and reduce severe violence.

Police and Crime Commissioners hold responsibility for overseeing the partnership and monitoring its performance.

As part of the Serious Violence Duty, the Violence Reduction Partnership has received £210,000 from the Home Office.

The money will fund evidence-based initiatives concentrating on upskilling professionals, early intervention, and education.

Several initiatives already in action include focused deterrence targeting at-risk youth, educational sessions for children teaching them how to respond to violent injuries, and specialised training for professionals to understand trauma-influenced behaviour and why adults and young people may react differently.

Serious violence coordinator, 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 was most at risk and public perception of serious violence in their neighbourhoods."

The strategic needs assessment provides an overview of violence in Wiltshire and Swindon and why it happens, including the age groups most affected and geographical areas.

More information can be found at https://www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/.