Communities positively impacted by projects delivered to reduce serious violence

More than a thousand young people in Wiltshire and Swindon have benefitted from projects delivered by charities and community groups via the Serious Violence Duty over the past year. 

Initiatives including detached youth work, mentoring, diversionary activities, skills and training workshops and media campaigns have been delivered to young people who have or at risk of falling into criminality. 

Although overall crime rates in Wiltshire and Swindon are well below the national and regional average, the Serious Violence Duty places a legal obligation on specific organisations – police, local government, integrated health boards, youth justice service, probation services and fire and rescue authorities - to plan and collaborate to prevent and reduce serious violence. 

Police and Crime Commissioners are responsible for convening these partners and monitoring the exercise of these functions.   

This year a total of £210,364.98 has been invested into communities via the Serious Violence Duty. 

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. 

“We’re receiving positive outcomes from the initiatives funded so far and we’ll continue to work together to target those most at risk in addition to ensuring all young people have access to education and resources to reduce serious violence and make our communities safer for all.” 

Projects funded under the Serious Violence include: 

County Line Training – EscapeLine  

Training delivered to Police Force and designated Safeguarding Leads for identifying and understanding the risks around CCE and county lines. 

Pop-up Coffee Van – SMASH/Youth Justice Service  

Employment training for young people, including experience as barista, vendor and understanding how a small business operates to further understanding of entrepreneurship. 

WAY Beacons  

Using admittance to hospital (GWH) as a reachable teachable moment for a youth worker to create an opportunity to speak to young people involved in serious violence to choose diversion opportunities. The Youth Worker can onward divert to other services and/or offer continued support in the community. 

Focussed Deterrents - Wiltshire Young People's Service  

Offering young people the opportunity to desist and take opportunities offered to divert offending behaviour or have increased focus from enforcement/police. Those that choose diversion will have an assessment of risk and protective factors, looking at designing a bespoke package of interventions that address the risk factors and enhance protective factors to improve the chances for desistance. 

EOTAS Garden – Fernbrook 

Provision for a vegetable garden at Fernbrook for students in education other than in school (EOTAS) to learn about food, gardening and improve mental health. 

Comms Campaign – OPCC and Force Comms teams  

OPCC & Force joint serious violence campaign to raise awareness in the community about issues relating to CCE and knife crime. 

GWH Consultant Support – SaferNow  

SaferNow consultancy service will be working with GWH to review and improve the policies and processes in place relating to vulnerable children that may attend the hospital, i.e. recognise vulnerability, professional curiosity, referrals, intelligence gathering etc.  

IT Skills Course – DiversITy  

IT related skills and training to prepare young people for IT based work for young people at risk of serious violence. 

Sports Based Youth Mentoring – iProvefit 

iProvefit have a dedicated space to do youth mentoring in their on site gym, recording studio, arts space etc. Experience working with exploited children and those engaged in drug supply. 

Synergy – Wiltshire Police  

Multi agency activity course across Swindon and Wiltshire, giving children insights into the work of police, Fire & Rescue, SWAST & the Army. Builds trust and confidence in key workers and develop relationship with trusted adults. An offer of ongoing mentoring via Swift+ is also available after the course. 

Detached Youth Work for Warminster – Rise  

Detached youth work in Melksham where the secondary school has struggled throughout 2024 and onward signs of risk in the community in relation to young people has also increased. 

Detached Youth Work for Melksham – 4Youth  

Detached youth work in Melksham where the secondary school has struggled throughout 2024 and onward signs of risk in the community in relation to young people has also increased. 

Climbing Wall Course – Chippenham Climbing Centre  

Climbing wall course for young people identified as at risk of serious violence, possibly engaged in ASB and/or crime, working with Chippenham NPT and the climbing centre to build trust and confidence in police and trusted adults as well as divert from ASB. 

Underpass - Dario Santos Art   

Regenerate an underpass walkway in Swindon with Dario Santos art and in the criminal justice system. Offers an opportunity to build relationships with YJS workers and channel focus into arts and community project. 

SCS Cards – Youth Justice Service Swindon  

Gives young people a 'health & safety' pass to enable them to get internships or work in a trade (building site) doing whichever trade they'd like. 

WAY – WAY Studios  

A youth led art project where young people explore the ideas of tackling serious violence and design something for their community at hospital and Lyndhurts centre in Swindon with a QR code that leads people to a website with further information about serious violence and child criminal exploitation. 

Sports Based Mentoring – BEST 

A sports focused mentoring service to enable young people to build a relationship with their mentor whilst focusing on sports and building interest in a hobby and healthy activity in a safe environment where they can speak with a trusted adult.