Uncertainty over funding of Southampton's violence reduction unit

Leaders in the city have confirmed they still do not know if money for the violence reduction unit (VRU) will continue beyond March next year.

The VRU supports the violence reduction partnership, which is made up of 25 different public sector bodies across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Work carried out by the VRU includes identifying the local drivers of serious violence and finding actions to address them.

At a recent Southampton City Council children and families scrutiny panel meeting, councillors heard there were concerns about long-term financial backing.

Southampton Safeguarding Children Partnership independent scrutineer Scott MacKechnie said there had been no indications from the Home Office over the grant to the police and crime commissioner for VRUs.

Mr MacKechnie, a former head of crime at Hampshire Constabulary, said: “I had a meeting with the VRU director and he is none the wiser. We hope the government will continue to support the initiatives that are taking place to reduce serious violence.”

He added: “Wherever possible we want to keep on that trajectory of moving forward trying to prevent children from being involved in serious youth violence.”

Cllr Alex Winning, cabinet member for children and learning, said the situation around funding was “unclear”.

“We know when funding is coming externally there is always a risk like that,” Cllr Winning said.

“I think once we know a clearer picture, what can we do about that?

“My intention there would be, along with cabinet colleagues in Hampshire, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, to lobby the police and crime commissioner to keep that funding. I think that is so important.

“We can see the improvements that have taken place in a short space of time already here in Southampton. We are on the right track. That is so crucial.”

The Labour councillor said it would be “quite impactful” to lose the VRU.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Inspector Sarah Nicholson, who is the violent crime taskforce and VRU co-ordinator, said all agencies are committed to the violence reduction partnership and community safety partnership regardless of VRU funding.

“In Southampton, the violence reduction unit has been integral in developing and co-ordinating a strong partnership response to serious violence in the city, in support of the ongoing work of Southampton’s safe city Partnership,” Inspector Nicholson said.

“Collaborating with our partners including Southampton City Council, youth justice and children’s services, is crucial in order to reduce youth violence.

“Through the violence reduction partnership, we are continually reviewing our plans and procedures, responding to need with prevention of incidents and safeguarding of young people being our prime objectives.”

There are 20 VRUs in England and Wales, with the current funding end date of March 31, 2025, agreed by the former Conservative government.

The Office for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said VRU directors recently met with Home Office officials to highlight the importance of carrying on the work to reduce violence in communities.

A spokesperson said the commissioner was “keen to showcase the strides VRU interventions have made locally and how these important violence-reduction interventions can be sustained”.

They added: “It’s important to note the commissioner funds a wide variety of interventions for young people to combat serious violence outside of the VRU grant, and the Hampshire and IOW violence reduction partnership, led and convened by the commissioner, will remain in place to coordinate the partnership response to serious violence and carry on the work started by the VRU post-March 2025 – regardless of the central government funding decision.”

Funding for VRUs will be determined as part of the spending review, which was announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in July.

Ms Reeves is due to deliver an autumn budget on Wednesday, October 30.