Violent crime – as it is recorded by the police – includes robbery, sexual offences and ‘Violence against the person’ offences, such as assault and murder. However, most recorded violent crime is low-level thuggery, while the UK has one of the lowest murder rates amongst the European Union, with London being below average for EU capital cities. Government Offices have an active role in the effort to continue bringing down the level of violent crime, which has fallen by 35 per cent since its peak in 1995.
More information on the national picture
Initiatives to combat violent crime are varied:
Alcohol reduction measures
The prolific and other priority offenders strategy aims to prevent and deter and includes rehabilitation and resettlement elements and continues the work on reducing robbery and street crime.
Tackling Violent Crime Programme (TVCP)
The Tackling Violent Crime Programme has to date seen the roll out of three rounds of this initiative. Its aim is to reduce volume violent crime in those areas with the highest volumes of more serious violence. In the current financial year 2007/08, funding of £210,000 has been allocated to 8 CDRPs in the Yorkshire & Humber region. This funding helps the Community Safety Partnerships by helping them maximise the impact of their violent crime plans and by providing pump-priming financial support to implement those plans, as well as to trial new approaches where appropriate.
For example: Leeds has been allocated £35k through the TVCP. The main aims of the programme are :
To reduce volume crime in key targeted areas. The focus will primarily be on alcohol fuelled violent crime and domestic violence which together make up the largest proportion of violent crime.
To improve police and wider CDRP performance and improve partnership working
To support and improve local strategies in relation to the night time economy through effective enforcement campaigns
To ensure that local priorities and challenges inform central policy.
Leeds are looking to use this programme to strengthen their approach to the management of the night time economy and reduce the levels of both alcohol fuelled violent crime and domestic violence experienced.
Domestic Violence
The Domestic violence initiative is now into its fifth year of funding. This year partnerships within the GOYH area have been allocated an equal share of £200k, to help tackle the scourge of domestic violence. This funding helps Community Safety Partnerships to develop practical strategies for dealing with domestic violence at a local level.
The funding can be used to help employ a domestic violence co-ordinator, develop a Domestic Violence Strategy; or enhance regional, sub regional and countywide initiatives/work already being done.
Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVA)
These provide a pro-active service to victims of domestic violence. They provide a risk assessmet of each client, assessing the risk to them and offering a premium service to those judged to be at high risk. IDVAs work within a multi-agency setting to ensure all agencies do their part and co-ordinate their work to keep people safe. In 2007/08 £300k is being divided between 13 IDVAs throughout the Yorkshire and Humber region.
Gun Crime
This initiative finished at the end of March 2006. Its aim was to work jointly with community groups in those areas affected by gun crime to develop new innovative ways of tackling gun crime. Including:
Reaching out to young people in those communities blighted by this crime diverting those most likely to become involved in gun crime.
To link into communities affected by gun crime with the intention of creating and cultivating intelligence on active criminals
To take firm and decisive action against known and suspected gun criminals.
Best Bar None
This initiative, now in its second year was piloted throughout West Yorkshire in 2006/07 aimed to set a minimum standard of operation for pubs, clubs and bars and recognises and rewards high standards. This proved highly successful; finishing with an awards ceremony for winners at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.
A recent British Crime Survey showed a significant proportion of crime (including violent crime) was directly and indirectly related to poorly managed licensed premises. Best Bar None aims to provide an incentive for owners to improve standards.
The key elements of Best Bar None are:
Promotion of socially responsible drinking
Commitment to caring for and protecting customers
Commitment to reducing potential for disorder in town centres and public places arising from alcohol abuse
Assessment involves issues such as door and security policies and practice, first aid and health and safety provision, how venues deal with customers and handle incidents of alcohol abuse and how they death with drugs
