Manchester Metropolitan University recently completed their whole system evaluation of the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), covering the first five years of delivery (2019–2023). Drawing on a range of evidence and interviews with 26 stakeholders across the system, the evaluation concludes that meaningful system change has taken place in Greater Manchester: the VRU has helped reshape how violence is understood, governed and addressed, strengthening multi‑agency coordination, place-based delivery and evidence-informed practice.

The report also sets out recommendations to support future delivery of the 10‑year Greater than Violence Strategy, including maintaining the VRU’s governance, analytical capacity and facilitative role; continuing to embed community-led, multi‑agency and evidence-based operating principles (including young people’s voices); improving transparency while retaining devolved funding; strengthening intelligence and communications as shared system assets; sustaining meaningful involvement of communities and young people; and taking a long-term view of population-level impact. It also calls for earlier and more consistent evaluation, proportionate system-level monitoring standards, and stronger expenditure documentation, with partners invited to take forward learning through a shared event and allocation of actions to relevant leads.

Overall, the report positively highlights the improved cross-sector collaboration, increased adoption of public‑health and trauma‑informed approaches, better use of data and intelligence, stronger community engagement, and greater strategic alignment.

The report is available online here.

Article posted on: 01/04/2026 04:04pm