Violence Reduction Unit
Glasgow - A Mean City:
A partnership approach to tackling Violent Crime
Will Linden
Analyst Co-ordinator
Strathclyde Police
Violence Reduction Unit
Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science
3rd National Crime Mapping Conference
12th April 2005
Overview
Crime Trends
The Challenge
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Strathclyde has 3.5 times more murders committed with a
knife than England and Wales (based on population).
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In 2005 we have had 14 murders and 83 attempted murders.
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46 of the attempted murders involved a knife.
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895 serious assaults since the beginning of 2005 - 285
involving a knife.
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Over 96 young men under the age of 21 have been
convicted of murder over the last 3 years.
Aim
To reduce violent behaviour by:
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Working with partners to achieve long-term societal and
attitudinal change.
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Focussing on enforcement to manage and contain
individuals who carry weapons or are already engaged in
violent behaviour.
Glasgow Perception-Reality
Location, Location, Location
Structure
VIOLENCE
REDUCTION
PARTNERSHIP
RESEARCH
LEGISLATION
COMMUNICATIONS
ENFORCEMENT
RESOURCES
EDUCATION
HEALTH
Partner Organisations
• Scottish Executive
• Scottish Enterprise
• Fiscals Service
• Glasgow City Council
• Education
• Social Work
• NHS
• Various Universities
• First Bus
• Strathclyde Passenger Transport
• British Transport Police
Is Violent Crime a Heath Issue?
Is Violent Crime a Heath Issue?
70% of late night admissions to Accident and Emergency
Department are related to Violent Crime.
55% of attendees stated that they would not report it to
the police.
56% of attendees required ongoing care.
The cost of treating serious assault in a Glasgow
Hospital is estimated at £2000.
Skills for Life
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Planning and Organising
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Pedigog’s
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Problem solving skills
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Citizenship
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Team Working skills
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Training for work
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Oral Communication
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Restorative Justice
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Conflict handling
Enforcement- Stop and Search
Bail Conditions: Exclusion Zone
Visible Justice
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96% of cases in Scotland are heard by a judge without a jury.
This is the first point of call for most offenders.
This service is viewed as remote and ineffective.
Defining and Empowering Communities.
Fast tracking Offenders.
Increasing the scope of sentencing.
Intervention services is key!
Where Next: The Proof of Concept.
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Two council wards have been chosen.
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Services will then be directed to these wards.
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The wards will then be assessed to determine the impact of
the services.
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On successful conclusion the model will be rolled out
across other wards.
In Conclusion
If at first you don’t succeed……………..
TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT!
Contact details:
will.linden@strathclyde.pnn.police.uk