The Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) was invited to the Police and Crime Plan Showcase,
alongside other sector leaders, to discuss tackling crime in Greater Manchester on
Thursday 22 January. The showcase provided an opportunity for input, reflection and
insight from policing leads, community partners, and service providers, offering a
promising view of the future for reducing crime across Greater Manchester.

The session was opened with an overview of Greater Manchester’s approach, led by
Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger communities, Kate Green. The day’s itinerary
allowed for insight to be shared from across Policing, Victim’s Services, Community
Partnerships, Greater Manchester’s Violence Reduction Unit, and Lived Experience
Panels. The summary of progress from each sector gave a full image of collaboration
and community work across the boroughs.

Dr Rachel Jenner, Clinical Lead for the VRU and consultant in the emergency
department at the Royal Manchester children’s hospital, spoke about her unique
perspective on youth violence and the personal insight she brings to the Violence
Reduction approach. She said:

“When you read a headline… about a boy who’s stabbed on his way home from school,
it’s me or one of my team standing there in my scrubs in the resus room trying to treat
them, sometimes successfully, sometimes unsuccessfully. That brings a real reality
check to the work that I do, it brings me in direct contact with the people we’re trying to
support and protect. It gives me the opportunity to hear their stories as well.”

Dr Jenner also spoke about the importance of tackling a multitude of factors when
looking to reduce challenges for those affected by Youth Violence. She added:

“The whole cycle which leads to serious violence is a really complex one. We’re talking
about children and young people, who have lived through trauma, adverse childhood
experiences, deprivation, discrimination, often lack of role models and lack of
opportunity. By working together and sharing all the knowledge and expertise of
professionals, of our communities, of people with lived experiences, we’ve been…
really trying to make sure the projects that we commission and fund and support are
targeted correctly and are having the right impact.”

Dr Jenner highlighted the progress that VRU-funded interventions have made on local
communities and the observable real-world impact. She continued:

“Over the last year there’s been a 13% reduction* in police recorded knife crime…
hospital data also shows a promising decrease, A&E attendances down by 3% and
ambulance callouts due to assault are down by 9% over the last year**.

“I know that there’s still plenty of work to be done but it is really, really positive.

“Over the last year with VRU funded interventions we have reached over 43,000 young
people under the age of 25. Also, another 3,500 over the age of 25, because we are
recognising increasingly that supporting parents and carers is absolutely key if we want
to reduce violence.***

“Through the variety of programmes, we are offering some unique and different
opportunities to upskill young people and divert them away from involvement in
violence.”

By continuing this work, the VRU hopes to reach more young people in Greater
Manchester and divert them away from serious violence, guiding them to a promising
and hopeful future.

Notes:

*November 2024 – November 2025
**September 2024 – September 2025
***March 2024 – March 2025

Article posted on: 02/02/2026 01:02pm