In 2022, Cleveland was awarded £3.5m for a three-year period to deliver a Violence Reduction Unit.
The VRU in Cleveland is called CURV (Cleveland Unit for the Reduction of Violence).
CURV’s purpose is to provide leadership and strategic coordination of Cleveland’s response to serious violence.
The unit delivers this by strengthening partnerships, working with communities, and ensuring specified authorities, partners and key stakeholders collaborate.
The objective is to ensure individuals, families and communities can live, learn, and work in Cleveland free from the fear, effects, and consequences of serious violence.
System-wide approach
CURV will achieve its objective by adopting a whole system and public health approach.
It will work collaboratively with partners and prioritise activity against several key performance indicators (PIs) across all age groups. However, there will be a focus on those aged under 25. PIs include the following:
- Reductions in hospital admissions for assaults with a knife or sharp object
- Reduction in knife enabled offences.
- Reduction in all non-domestic homicides
Support for Stockton
CURV has allocated match funding for the provision of a full-time post. The role will support the Community Safety Management Team in Stockton
The new post will provide an effective and efficient operational service. It will assist in meeting the needs and aspirations of residents and visitors in Stockton Borough area.
The role will ensure the effective development and alignment of comprehensive partnership and problem-solving plans across a range of portfolios.
It will also act as a conduit for strong relationships with internal and external partners and stakeholders, and the local communities.
This position will be expected to contribute to sustainability plans by identifying alternate funding sources and assisting external stakeholders.
He/she will also lead grant funding applications relevant to the area of business and to oversee associated initiatives. The post holder will deliver these by implementing appropriate governance mechanisms and assisting local groups to apply for relevant funding.
The role will also convene and chair problem-solving meetings and plans, and arrange appropriate Task and Finish Groups to track progress and achieve joint collaborative outcomes on the agreed plans.
Top 10 for serious violence
As Cleveland ranks among the top 10 local areas for police recorded Serious Violence and hospital admissions for knife related incidents,
CURV will prioritise activity that seeks to reduce these metrics.
The Clear Hold Build process within Stockton has resulted in clear reductions in crime and ASB within the pilot ward. This indicates the need for the collaboration in POP planning, which can show positive results.
This role was identified as an action in a recent Clear Hold Build pilot scheme within Stockton.
The aim is to increase collaboration and increase inputs into both community safety and police POP planning.
At a local level, preventing, reducing, and tackling serious violence and strengthening partnership working is a key priority for the Police and Crime Commissioner.