New strategy launched to reduce serious violence in Merseyside
It focuses on how agencies can work 'even closer together'
A new plan has been launched to help prevent and reduce serious violence across Merseyside.
The 'Merseyside Serious Violence Duty Strategy' focuses on how agencies 'can work even closer together' to stop more people from being drawn into serious violence and creating a safer and stronger region to live in.
Statistics released last week show serious violence across Merseyside has decreased by 8% in the last year, with knife crime down by 18.6% and gun crime at its lowest level since records began 22 years ago.
We're told that Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire & Rescue, the region's five local authorities, NHS Merseyside and Cheshire, and the prisons and probation service will take a public-health approach to preventing serious violence - which revolves around understanding what leads to it, the causes and triggers, and acting to stop it from happening in the first place.
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:
"Our region has come a long way in reducing and preventing serious violence in recent years. Gun crime, knife crime and all serious violence offences have decreased significantly.
"This is hugely welcome, but there is still more we can all do.
"The launch of this Serious Violence Duty Strategy is important because it sets out our ongoing commitment to working together to prevent and tackle serious violence and the harm it causes, preventing families from suffering the devastation and harm it brings.
"We must get upstream, intervene early"
"Anyone can be affected by serious violence and sadly, our region is no stranger to the life-changing consequences – for victims, relatives, loved ones, friends and witnesses – when tragedies occur. That’s what drives us to work even harder and why prevention is essential.
"To deliver lasting change, we must get upstream, intervene early, and stop violence from happening in the first place. By working together, I firmly believe we can continue to build a safer, stronger Merseyside, free from violence and the fear of violence."
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said:
"Our relentless pursuit of those involved in serious violence and firearms-enabled crime continues, alongside our work with a multitude of partners in prevention and diversion.
"The launch of this strategy will help strengthen relationships between partners and harness the force of Merseyside to tackle serious violence.
"We refuse to get complacent"
"Latest statistics show we have seen a 6.3% drop in possession of weapons offences and firearms discharges have reduced by 50% for the same period, while knife crime has also been cut by 18.6%. These figures are not just numbers on a page – they represent the communities across Merseyside who we endeavour to protect from suffering at the hands of criminality and becoming victims of serious violence.
"Despite these reductions, our determination to keep bringing offenders to justice remains and we refuse to get complacent when communities in Merseyside depend on us to keep them safe."
Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said:
"Knowsley fully supports the launch of the new Serious Violence Duty Strategy and we are committed to working with our partners to continue to reduce serious violence in our region."
Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetscene, said:
"There is a relentless determination from all partners to tackle the root causes of serious violence, so that residents can go about their lives without fear of crime.
"The joint working that takes place across Liverpool, such as through the EVOLVE-Liverpool project, is making a real difference to communities.
"Just one is too many"
"We know from statistics that the number of violent incidents is decreasing, but even just one is too many, and we are not complacent as we know there is much more to do.
"The launch of the strategy is part of our commitment to redouble our efforts to tackle the issue."
Cllr Helen Cameron, Chair of the Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee for Wirral Council, said:
"Community safety partners across Merseyside have been making good progress in recent months to disrupt and deter organised crime groups.
"We have known, however, that we needed a comprehensive violence reduction strategy, bringing in other partners, to address the root causes of these terrible incidents and the consequences they have on communities. I welcome its launch today as a massive step in the right direction."
Graham Urwin, Chief Executive for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said:
"We are proud to come together with our partners to tackle issues that affect the health and wellbeing of our communities, such as the causes and effects of serious violent crime.
"We know that working together in partnership and actively involving people in our communities to ensure their voices are heard leads to better outcomes for people in Cheshire and Merseyside, and can help us to continue to build a safer, healthier region for everyone."
The full strategy is here.