VPRU Joins National Effort at Home Office Serious Violence Reduction Programme Conference

The South Wales Violence Prevention and Reduction Unit (VPRU) attended last week’s two‑day Serious Violence Reduction Programme Conference in London, bringing together key partners from across England and Wales committed to tackling serious violence and improving outcomes for young people.

Hosted by the Home Office, the conference created a vital space for stakeholders to reflect on delivery so far, share best practice, and help shape the 2026/27 programme – ensuring that local and national efforts continue to evolve in line with the needs of communities.

Day 1: Young Futures Pilot Panels – Learning, Impact and What Comes Next

 The opening day focused on insights from the Young Futures Pilot Panels, showcasing learning from Year 1 and setting the direction for Year 2. Attendees heard powerful contributions about how early intervention, youth voice, and multi‑agency collaboration are improving life chances. The VPRU team joined workshops exploring what is working on the ground and how evidence from the pilots can be strengthened and scaled.

The day also included attendance from the Minister for Crime and Policing, Sarah Jones, who praised the impact of Violence Reduction Units on reducing violence since their inception in 2019. She also emphasised the need to ensure prevention continues to be a collective priority locally, regionally and nationally.

Day 2: Supporting Delivery Across England and Wales 

The second day shifted to conversations on the wider Serious Violence Reduction Programme, with a focus on supporting local areas to deliver consistently and confidently. Facilitated discussions allowed VRUs, policing partners, local authorities, and sector specialists to share challenges, explore solutions, and strengthen collective approaches. The VPRU contributed to sessions centred on implementing effective place‑based prevention, improving data‑driven decision‑making, and harnessing collaboration to reduce harm.

Driving Forward Violence Prevention

 Attending the conference reinforced the importance of multi-agency approaches. For the South Wales VPRU, the two days offered fresh insight and renewed momentum as we continue to work together to reduce violence and build safer communities for all.