Briefings

The Violence Reduction Network (VRN) is a wide alliance of groups, communities and organisations from across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR). We share the common goal of reducing and preventing serious violence through understanding and tackling its root causes

The VRN’s definition includes all ages and is drawn from applicable crime types within Home Office crime groupings: Homicide, Violence with Injury and Robbery.

The Violence Reduction Network’s (VRN) Strategic Needs Assessments explored the research and literature concerning the risk factors and protective factors relating to youth violence and serious violence. 

The Strategic Needs Assessment (2020) explored the research and literature to identify public health informed models for violence prevention and the evidence-base for what works in preventing youth violence. This briefing provides an overview of learning.

The Violence Reduction Network (VRN) is a wide alliance of groups, communities and organisations from across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR). We believe that violence is preventable and we share the common goal of preventing and reducing violence through understanding and tackling its root causes. One of the programmes that the VRN has invested in is Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP).

Central to a public health approach is the core belief that violence is preventable; that it is possible to prevent and reduce modifiable risk factors and to strengthen protective factors. This briefing synthesises the growing body of evidence on effective interventions and approaches for preventing serious violence.

The following briefing provides partners with an overview of what injury surveillance is, how it can be implemented and its benefits. We believe that violence is preventable. Our vision is for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to be a place where people can lead their lives free from violence and the fear of violence. Understanding where and when violence takes place provides the foundation for prevention.

This briefing aims to provide partners with recent data on serious violence which occurs after school and more specifically, the nature, extent and hotspot locations of this problem. It also brings together the evidence on the approaches and activities which are likely to be effective at preventing serious violence within this context.

This briefing aims to provide partners with recent data on serious violence which occurs in the night time economy and more specifically, the nature, extent and hotspot locations of this problem. As the Violence Reduction Network has a particular focus on young people (under 25), the similarities and nuances in the offences committed by under 25 years old and by those over 25 years old will be highlighted throughout this report

To further inform the Violence Reduction Network’s Response Strategy and priorities of the LLR Early Intervention and Prevention Boards, Rocket Science, an independent research consultancy, was commissioned to conduct research into effective parenting programmes. This brief outlines which parenting programmes are proven to be effective in improving outcomes for children and families,  what parenting programmes are delivered locally and to what extent are these interventions evidence informed, and how the provision of parenting programmes across LLR could be improved.

In the spring of 2023, Rocket Science, an independent research consultancy, was commissioned by the VRN to research effective support for neurodivergent young people in the criminal justice system (CJS). This brief outlines what effective support looks like for neurodivergent young people in the criminal justice system, how the needs of children and young people are currently met when interacting with the police, youth justice, and VRN commissioned services in LLR, and how local CJS partners could improve support.