Violence Reduction Challenge
The PCC Matthew Scott has made tackling violence a priority for Kent Police, and he has pledged to enhance services for victims of crime and abuse.
While the Government has published its own national Serious Violence Strategy, the PCC is keen to see what can be done locally here in Kent. He has 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.
Mr Scott said:
‘I am bringing together a wide group of people and organisations from different sectors so we can put together a collective response to the issues that we face. But first, I want to hear from victims and residents so we know exactly what those issues are.
‘While crime has fallen since 2010, there are statistical trends which tell us that numbers of some violent crimes have risen in recent years, though many of those additional ‘violent crimes’ relate to incidents in which no-one was physically injured. This national definition of what constitutes a ‘violent crime’ can be confusing at times.'