Serious Violence Strategy group

Serious violence can have a huge impact on people’s lives and communities. To help prevent and reduce the harm it causes, the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner works with partners across Cheshire on a long-term strategy docused on prevention and early help.

What is this all about?

The Serious Violence Duty is part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. It means that certain organisations must work together to understand and tackle the causes and effects of serious violence. Not just deal with it after it happens.

Instead of just responding when things go wrong, this approach looks at what leads to serious violence and how we can stop it early.

Who works together in Cheshire

No single organisation can prevent serious violence on its own. In Cheshire, the following partners are involved:

• Cheshire Constabulary
• Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
• Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board
• Probation Service
• Youth Justice Service
• Halton Borough Council
• Warrington Borough Council
• Cheshire West and Chester Council
• Cheshire East Council

These organisations work together to share information, plan programmes and deliver services that aim to prevent serious violence, especially through early support and intervention.

How the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) helps

The PCC’s team supports this work by hosting two specialist roles, with a person seconded from Cheshire Constabulary and the probation services to help coordinate the partnership’s activity. Their job is to help shape plans, implement the strategy and make efforts are joined up across Cheshire.

The strategy itself

The Serious Violence Strategy sets out hoe the partnership will work over five years, with regular reviews each year to check progress and update plans based on new information and changing needs.

It’s not just about reacting. It’s about understanding patterns, spotting early signs and putting in place effective, evidence-based ways to reduce violence in our communities.