In 2022, the Serious Violence Duty was introduced through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act.
The act requires specified authorities to work together to plan, prevent and reduce serious violence within the local government area.
As part of this work, Cleveland’s Violence Reduction Unit – CURV – commissioned Crest Advisory to undertake a Strategic Needs Assessment (SNA)
The SNA outlined the scale, nature, and drivers of serious violence in Cleveland. Findings were updated further in 2024.
The report identified that rates of serious violence offending are highest at the weekend, particularly in the evening and early morning.
Figures potentially align with peaks in the night-time economy (NTE) and its geographical zones.
In order to further understand this, CURV commissioned a bespoke NTE Problem Profile.
The profile gave a more in-depth understanding of the causes and drivers of serious violence within the NTE.
As a result, the profile allowed a NTE Action Plan to be developed. The profile focused on reducing incidents of serious violence within and around NTE zones.
Interventions were approved after consultation with key NTE stakeholders, who have attended a series of workshops and forums.
CURV facilitated and delivered these activities in late 2023. They were in line with the NTE Action Plan.
The PCC has now approved funding to a total of £11,580.00 in 2024-25 to continue work around the NTE.
Funding will pay for the following:
Professional Witness Service (Safer Communities) – £2,160.00
DRF 2024-25 – 022. Serious violence duty and CURV funding (application, 182kB)
CURV previously funded Ask for Angela campaigns and training for licensed premise staff
This was rolled out alongside safeguarding training, anti-spiking resources and drink testing strips.
In order to evaluate the response of licensed premises and the use of these resources, CURV commissioned the Professional Witness Service to carry out an undercover operation. The operation took place in Hartlepool’s defined NTE area.
The service assessed which premises:
- Display Ask for Angela Posters (in the general venue and both male and female toilets)
- Respond appropriately when a vulnerable male or female customer asks for Angela.
Ask for Anglea is not mandatory safety tool. However, if premsies display resources, there is an expectation that venues can adequately safeguard and safely remove those in distress.
The project will now be expanded to Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar’s NTE areas. This will allow CURV to evaluate the response of NTE staff to Ask for Angela, ensuring the approach is a Cleveland wide.
Ask for Angela Training – £2,280.00
In response to findings from the test purchasing operation, CURV will fund Ask for Angela to provide a training session in each area.
This will primarily be aimed at premises, who have not responded adequately during the test purchase. It will rely on the support of licensing teams to ensure attendance.
Premises will also be encouraged to attend to refresh their knowledge. The majority of bar staff are from the student community. As a result, there is a high turnaround of staff creating a need for regular training delivery.
Bleed Cabinets – £7,140.00
CURV will continue to support the roll out of bleed cabinets across Cleveland, with the support of Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade.
This will be targeted towards police stations and fire stations. The aim is for bleed cabinets to be paired with defibrillator cabinets already placed in those locations.
CURV will look at providing training for officers to support their use next year.
Decision: