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Serious Violence Duty

What is Serious Violence Duty?

Following public consultation in July 2019, the government announced that it would bring forward legislation introducing a new Serious Violence Duty. This will ensure relevant services work together to share information and allow them to target their interventions, where possible through existing partnership structures, collaborate and plan to prevent and reduce serious violence within their local communities.

Why has the Duty been introduced?

Serious violence has a devastating impact on the lives of victims and families and instils fear within communities and is extremely costly to society. Incidents of serious violence have increased in England and Wales since 2014. All local authority areas have challenges and opportunities in preventing and responding to serious violence.

Who must comply with the Duty?

  • Police
  • Justice – Probation Services, Youth Offending Teams
  • Fire and Rescue
  • Health – Integrated Care Boards
  • Local authorities

Other authorities are required to collaborate with specified authorities if their involvement is requested. These authorities include educational authorities, prison authorities and youth custody authorities.

Gloucestershire priorities

  • Priority 1: Reducing the Harm caused by Serious and Organised Crime, this will include; Organised Crime Groups, Urban Street Gangs, County Lines, Weapons, Drugs etc.
  • Priority 2: Reducing the Harm caused by VAWG this will include; Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence, Stalking and Harassment etc.
  • Priority 3: Reducing the Harm Caused by ASB; especially repeat victimisation.
  • Priority 4: Supporting our Communities to build Resilience (PHA) community consensus, Lived Experiences etc.

Responding to serious violence has been an existing priority for the Community Safety Partnership for many years and the group will continue to complete work and share information and collaborate on preventing and reducing serious violence.