Preventing violent crime

Violent crime has tragic consequences for the victim, their loved ones and the local community.

East Sussex is a relatively safe place to live, although we recognise the importance of being proactive to keep East Sussex safe.

Some young people carry a knife. This is because they worry about becoming a victim of knife crime or because they think that carrying a knife may protect them.

Unfortunately, carrying a knife actually increases their chance of becoming hurt. The easiest and most common place for young people to get a knife is from the family home.

Spot the signs

If you think something isn’t quite right with a child or young person you know, then consider other less obvious warning signs, including:

  • They have become withdrawn.
  • Their school or college is reporting worrying changes in their behaviour.
  • They have lost interest in hobbies and are vague about their movements.
  • They have changed their group of friends.
  • They are secretive about their belongings.

There are other reasons why young people might show these behaviours, but if you do spot any signs talk to them. Discuss their views on knife crime, and whether they would ever consider carrying a knife. Ask if they feel safe when they go out, and if not, why not?

Where to get help

Crimestoppers

If you have information about knife crime or the people behind it, Call 0800 555 111 or visit Weapons crime | Crimestoppers

They never ask for your personal details, only what you know about crime.

Tell them what you know and stay 100% anonymous. Always.

Help in your local area

For local parenting support contact our family adviceline Family hubs.

Families can help each other – speak to the families of your child’s friends. If you’re worried, chances are they have concerns about their child too. Working together can be a valuable way to look out for each other and help keep your children safe.

Family Lives offers a free confidential helpline for families. Call 0808 800 2222 for emotional support and guidance on all aspects of parenting and family life.

The Serious Violence Duty

The Serious Violence Duty came into effect in January 2023 across England and Wales. This requires local services to work together to prevent and reduce serious violence.

East Sussex Violence and Exploitation Reduction Partnership (VERP)

The partnership unites Police, local authorities, the NHS, Public Health, criminal justice, and community organisations. With an aim to identify to reduce the risk and harm from serious violence and exploitation. To achieve this Partners have identified four priorities: 

  1. Adopt early intervention and prevention approaches - the partnership will divert children away from criminal activity and exploitation through early intervention, improve collaboration between agencies and enhance their understanding of community issues impacting children at risk of absenteeism and exclusion.                                                                                                                                       

  2. Identify and support victims of serious violence and criminal and sexual exploitation – the partnership will improve their understanding of the scale and impact of adult criminal and sexual exploitation, use data to better understand disparity and what we can do about it, and promote opportunities for system change in recognising and responding to the impact of traumatic stress. 

  3. Support high harm adult offenders change their behaviour – the partnership will support young adults convicted of serious violence offences not to reoffend, learn from national pilots, co-ordinate work to tackle repeat victimisation and/or offending, and develop preventative work with licensed premises. 

  4. Take a contextual safeguarding approach to empowering and engaging the community – the partnership will listen to and act upon the voices of people who have lived experience of violence and exploitation in areas of highest harm.

 

There are six underlying principles which underpin the work of the VERP.  These include:

 1.    Understanding more to better target intervention

2.    Learning from best practice and sharing existing practice in referral routes

3.    Collaborating with other Prevention Partnerships in East Sussex

4.    Delivering Evidence Based Interventions 

5.    Taking a trauma informed approach which recognises that some people will experience multiple forms of disadvantage

6.    Seeking external resources