More than 60,000 children and young people across the West Midlands were supported by the region’s Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) last year, marking a significant increase in action to prevent violence and keep young people safe.
The latest figures show a 52 per cent increase in the number of young people who have engaged with the VRP’s programmes compared to the previous year. The programmes provide targeted support and positive opportunities that help steer children and young people away from violence and crime.
The figures were revealed during West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster’s Accountability and Governance Board meeting today.
The Violence Reduction Partnership brings together the Police and Crime Commissioner, local authorities, schools, health services, police, voluntary and community organisations and other partners to tackle the root causes of violence through prevention, early intervention and diversion.
Working with local partners, they offer support to young people through mentoring, life skills development, sports activities, placing youth workers in schools, custody blocks and hospitals.
The Partnership also empowers young leaders through their flagship youth programme, Change Makers and youth led campaign, My Tomorrow.
The Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, who chairs the Violence Reduction Partnership Strategic Board, welcomed the latest figures, “It is essential that we believe in, engage with, listen to, work with and invest in our children and young people so that they have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and that includes a life free from violence, harm and criminal exploitation.
“This action demonstrates the real positive difference that early intervention and prevention can make to the quality of life for children and young people when organisations work together with a shared purpose.
“Through the Violence Reduction Partnership, we are investing in support that helps steer young people away from violence, reduces offending and victimisation, and builds stronger, safer communities.
“I remain committed to constant and unremitting action to ensure that prevention is at the heart of our approach to tackling serious violence across the West Midlands.”
The Violence Reduction Partnership takes a public health approach to tackling violence, recognising that addressing the underlying causes of violence is essential to achieving long-term reductions in serious violence and improving outcomes for young people.
