Violence Reduction Unit

The Violence Reduction Units (VRUs), established in 2019 across 20 high-violence police force areas in England and Wales, lead multi-agency partnerships to prevent serious violence—especially knife crime and youth violence—through a public health approach. Backed by government investment and guided by hospital data and crime stats, VRUs tackle root causes like trauma, deprivation, and social exclusion via collaboration among police, health, local government, education, and voluntary sectors. Core values include early intervention, community voice, inclusion, evidence-based practice, continuous learning, and sustainability, with local strategies shaped by needs assessments and Home Office evaluations.

VRUs fund preventative interventions for children, young people up to age 30, vulnerable adults, and affected communities, such as school mentoring, trauma-informed training, targeted youth outreach, anti-exploitation support, family interventions, and data-led neighbourhood prevention. They prioritise projects promoting positive opportunities, safeguarding, and systemic change, often delivered by grassroots charities, youth groups, or educational partnerships.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, community groups, and social enterprises with strong local ties, multi-agency experience, and capacity for impact measurement; no income thresholds apply, but smaller organisations with community expertise are favoured. Funding is invitation-only via regional commissioning—no unsolicited applications—with online forms for invited proposals aligned to local priorities. Typical grants range £15,000–£100,000 annually (up to £250,000 multi-year), focused on projects rather than core costs, capital, or enforcement. Monitor local VRU sites for rare calls; decisions are adhoc. Distinctively, VRUs demand strategic alignment, partnership working, and rigorous evaluation, setting them apart from general funders.