We have developed a ‘public health’ or ‘whole system’ approach to tackling violent crime. This essentially means an approach that is evidence, partnership, community and long-term based. This is commonly also referred to as a ‘Public Health’ approach, but it does not place a responsibility on Public Health teams to take the lead on tackling violent crime.

The blueprint for this approach can be seen broadly across the thematic areas of the VVRAP, which was very favourably reviewed in both July and December 2020 by MOPACs Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) as an example of a collaborative approach with realistic and deliverable outcomes.

The approach was implemented in Scotland, where they tackled alcohol-related serious violence. It resulted in a 60 per cent decline in the murder rate in Glasgow. Between 2011 and 2016, not a single person under the age of 20 was killed with a knife in Glasgow. In 2017, not one fatality involving a knife took place anywhere in Scotland. The Glasgow-based Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has proven that long-term strategy plans are required to have an impact on the reduction of knife crime.

It is recognised that the ‘Glasgow model’ is not simply a ‘lift and shift’ approach that will work instantly in London due to the differences in the two cities. It is, however, one that has been championed by the London Mayor as good practice and a long-term strategic approach to tackling serious violence. It is, therefore, a way of working that has been developed through the VVRAP for delivery in Bexley.

This approach aligns closely with the Public Health ‘Prevention Strategy’ by tackling these serious violence issues with a whole system approach, using evidence-based interventions over a prolonged period.