On Monday, the Avon and Somerset Violence Reduction Partnership (ASVRP) had the privilege of hosting the Home Office’s annual Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) Directors’ Conference. This year’s event took place at M Shed in central Bristol, a venue that reflects the city’s rich history and vibrant community.
Held at a different VRU location each year, the conference brings together key stakeholders to share learning, showcase innovation, and strengthen collaboration in the effort to reduce serious violence.
This year’s conference was an invitation-only event, attended by approximately 70 delegates, including VRU Directors, their nominated colleagues, and representatives from the Home Office.
The day began with a series of engaging presentations, including:
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Unique Voice, who shared their work using creative approaches to engage young people.
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Prevention Panels Showcases from both Somerset Council and North Somerset Council.
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A Prevention Panels Pathfinder Showcase from Leicestershire VRU.
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A tabletop discussion on Prevention Panels and Pathfinders, led by the Home Office.
Delegates were also joined virtually by the newly appointed Minister for Policing, Crime and Fire, Sarah Jones MP, who took questions from attendees following her address.
The afternoon sessions featured:
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An update from the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, Clare Moody.
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A presentation from Avon and Somerset Police on the positive work being delivered around knife crime prevention.
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An update from the London VRU on the MyEnds and Young Futures programmes.
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A Hubs Update from the Home Office.
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A Landscape Review and Deep Dives update, also delivered by the Home Office, followed by a Q&A session.
The conference concluded with a round-up of the day’s discussions, reinforcing the importance of continued collaboration and innovation across all VRUs to tackle the root causes of serious violence.
The event was very well received, with attendees describing the day as informative, engaging, and energising. Delegates left feeling inspired by the progress being made across the country and well-informed about the latest developments and opportunities to strengthen their local approaches to violence reduction.