The Kent and Medway Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) is a partnership between the police, local councils, health service providers and other key agencies to deliver a reduction in violence the county.

It was created in 2019 after the PCC was awarded £1,160,000 from the Home Office. The Government then announced Kent would receive a further £1,160,000 to fund the VRU in 2020/21.

The PCC said: 'Issues around violent crime can not be resolved by Kent Police simply arresting more people. The police and partner agencies need to work together to help lift vulnerable young people out of a life of crime.’

Funding in 2019/20 supported 23 local projects which in turn engaged with around 600 people. They received extra support to help them change their lifestyle from a number of agencies focused on sport, or practical skills like catering or building. Emotional and wellbeing support was also provided.

Other initiatives include a welcome pack for Londoners moving to Maidstone designed to signpost families to support and recognise potential risk factors; and peer-led training in understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). These were the winning concepts from a Serious Youth Violence Hackathon event where partners pitched ideas to a board of young people and VRU senior managers.

Money was also used to purchase more than 500 emergency trauma packs (ETPs), which have been distributed across the county.

The VRU's partners have agreed that funding in 2020/21 should be focused on the following areas:

• Work in prisons to reduce re-offending;
• Workshops in schools to engage with young people;
• Community interventions to help prevent serious youth violence;
• Work in custody to support under-25s implicated in violent crime;
• Health-based solutions.

Latest news

Almost 100 pieces of artwork have been submitted by school children from across Kent as part of a competition to promote anti-knife crime messages.

Entries have included images and poems encouraging young people not to carry weapons, and which also illustrate the impact of knives on victims and their families.

The competition, for children in year groups 7 to 13, was held by The Kent and Medway Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), a partnership between police, local councils, and other key stakeholders.

Entries on public display

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Loose, director of the VRU said: ‘Whilst levels of knife crime in Kent remain relatively low compared to other parts of the country, educating young people about the devastating impact it can have on victims and their families continues to be an important part in keeping our communities safe. ‘We are absolutely delighted by the number of schools and young people who have embraced this competition and who have worked so hard to create some truly impressive entries. The children have clearly risen to the challenge and our hope, once Covid restrictions allow, is that in the coming months we will be able to display these fantastic pieces of work at public places throughout the county.’

Submissions, which also contained anti-knife crime slogans, were overseen by judges including Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott and a representative from Stagecoach, which plans to display some of the artwork and messages on one of its buses.

A first prize of £100 in online shopping vouchers was awarded to Angelina Terry, a year ten pupil who attends the John Wallis Church of England Academy, Ashford.

Cornfields School, also in Ashford, received a collective prize of £750 in vouchers for an ‘Inspirational Piece’ (image below) in the form of an angel, with messages contained in a poem illustrating the stark impact of knife crime on families.

It will now be made into a sculpture from knives handed in to police or seized from criminals.

Exceptional quality

Pupils at other schools, in areas including Cranbrook, Chatham, Folkestone and Canterbury were also awarded prizes, and the High Sheriff of Kent nominated entries from students for a National Crimebeat Award.

Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott added: ‘Many congratulations to everyone who took part; the standard of entries was very high and there were a number of exceptional pieces that were really impressive. 'I hope that the winning pieces will help raise awareness and help us to further reduce knife crime in Kent.’

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VRU Winter Newsletter 2020/21

VRU Annual report 2020-21

A guide to knife harm for parents and carers

Webinars and workshops 2021

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VRU Autumn Newsletter 2020

Funding for Violence Reduction Units announced

Kent PCC welcomes Government funding

Initial commissioning proposals for Kent VRU announced

Additional £35m announced for Violence Reduction Units

VRU hosts Serious Youth Violence Hackathon to brainstorm ideas

Kent VRU funds Emergency Trauma Pack roll-out

Home Office publishes evaluation of VRUs' work in 2019/20

APCC publishes report showcasing work of VRUs across England and Wales

Knife wands given to pubs in Dover and Deal to discourage violent crime

Updated 4 December 2020