The Serious Violence Duty (SVD) requires Fire and Rescue Authorities, Police, Justice agencies, Health, Education and Local Authorities as ‘Specified Authorities’ to collaborate and plan together to reduce and prevent serious violence in their local areas.
Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, has introduced the Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight which brings together 25 partner agencies, from across the two counties to tackle the root causes of violence, including HIWFRS.
Chief Fire Officer, Neil Odin, said:
“Fire and Rescue services have a tradition of engaging with local communities to promote fire safety and to support vulnerable individuals. We have built strong relationships within the local communities we serve and are well positioned to play a key role within the local Violence Reduction Partnership.
“Safeguarding is a core function of HIWFRS, supporting and in some cases leading in risk reduction activities to those identified as being vulnerable and at risk from serious violence, exploitation or abuse. With serious violence touching the lives of so many young people, initiatives and interventions, such as our Prince’s Trust and Cadet programmes, and the work of our education team, provide vital opportunities to engage with young people on key issues as well as for them to learn new skills.”
PCC Donna Jones said:
“We all know the devastating and tragic consequences that violence has on individuals, families and communities. Everyone deserves to live their lives free from violence and the fear of violence.
“Serious violence is a complex issue so this partnership approach is vital because the police alone cannot prevent serious violence. The collective responsibility enables all the agencies involved to come together to bring about positive change and safer neighbourhoods.”
Chief Constable Scott Chilton said:
“Serious violence is one of the key priorities for the force and the damage it causes has to stop. Our communities are telling us they want their people protected and kept safe from harm. We can do this by working together within the Violence Reduction Partnership.”
The Police and Crime Commissioner’s Violence Reduction Unit supports the VRP. It delivers projects and interventions for under 25s steering them away from knife crime, serious violence and exploitation throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.