Violence Reduction Challenge
The PCC has made tackling violence a priority for Kent Police, and he has pledged to enhance services for victims of crime and abuse.
When the Government published its national Serious Violence Strategy in 2018, the PCC was keen to see what could be done locally here in Kent. He launched a Violence Reduction Challenge - a year-long study working with victims, residents, charities, statutory bodies and others to learn about people’s experiences of violent crime, its causes, and how it can be tackled.
What is 'violent crime'?
The full list includes violence committed against a person, as well as robbery and sexual offences:
- Abduction of Female
- Abuse of Children through Prostitution or Pornography
- Abuse of Position of Trust of a Sexual Nature
- Assault on Police Officer with Injury
- Assault With Injury
- Assault with Intent to Cause Serious Harm
- Assault Without Injury
- Assault Without Injury on a Constable
- Attempted Murder
- Causing Death by Aggravated Vehicle Taking
- Causing Death by Careless Driving (under influence of drink or drugs)
- Causing Death by Careless or Inconsiderate Driving
- Causing Death by Dangerous Driving
- Causing Death by Driving (Unlicensed Drivers etc)
- Causing or Allowing Death of a Child or Vulnerable Person
- Causing Sexual Activity Without Consent
- Child Abduction
- Conspiracy to Murder
- Corporate Manslaughter
- Cruelty To Children
- Endangering Life
- Exposure & Voyeurism
- Harassment
- Incest or Familial Sexual Offences
- Infanticide
- Intentional Destruction of a Viable Unborn Child
- Kidnapping
- Malicious Communications
- Manslaughter
- Murder
- Other Miscellaneous Sexual Offences
- Procuring Illegal Abortion
- Racially/Religiously Aggravated Assault With Injury
- Racially/Religiously Aggravated Assault Without Injury
- Racially/Religiously Aggravated Harassment
- Rape of a Female Aged 16 or Over
- Rape of a Female Child Under 13
- Rape of a Female Child Under 16
- Rape of a Male Aged 16 or Over
- Rape of a Male Child Under 13
- Rape of a Male Child Under 16
- Robbery of Business Property
- Robbery of Personal Property
- Sexual Activity Involving a Child Under 13
- Sexual Activity Involving a Child Under 16
- Sexual Activity with a Person with a Mental Disorder
- Sexual Assault on a Female Aged 13 or Over
- Sexual Assault on a Female Child Under 13
- Sexual Assault on a Male Aged 13 or Over
- Sexual Assault on a Male Child Under 13
- Sexual Grooming
- Stalking
- Threats to Kill
- Trafficking by Sexual Exploitation
- Unnatural Sexual Offences
Following the year-long piece of work, a number of actions were undertaken:
- The PCC has created a Violence Reduction Fund to support relevant community schemes.
- A multi-agency Medway Task Force has been set up to tackle some of the underlying causes of violent crime in that area.
- Money awarded to Kent from the Home Office's Early Intervention Youth Fund is being used to support more preventative work.