Violence Reduction Unit Launch Survey to Improve Safety for Young People

9 November 2021

 A survey designed to better understand the catalysts behind serious violent crime has been launched by the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU)

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/VRUSchoolSurvey2021/

Research nationally and locally highlights that young people are often disproportionately affected by related offences.

The survey is therefore specifically aimed at 11 to 16 year-olds, capturing their views and perceptions on key issues, which the VRU can then act upon.

The VRU works in partnership with other organisations to prevent serious violence and its harmful impact using a unique public health led approach.

This means treating violence almost like an infectious disease, searching for a cure, by using evidence to identify the causes and prevent the spread.

The responses from the survey, which closes on 3^rd December 2021, will contribute to the delivery of programmes, projects and interventions across the county.

Education Lead for the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), Sarah Whitehead said:

“The survey this year focuses on capturing young people’s views around their perceptions on community safety, the support available to them and the influences of social media.

“This will really allow our team to more comprehensively understand what we can do to help tackle serious violence, as well as finding out what is driving it locally.”

Director of the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit, Chief Superintendent Jackie Marsh added:

“We value the importance of engaging closely with young people in our communities, which is crucial in helping us understand and prevent violence.

“The 1000 plus responses we received to the 2020 version of this survey enabled us to commission research that will help us to further understand and prevent violence in the future.

“We want to replicate this positive engagement and I would encourage young people to have their voices heard.”