Priorities revealed for people's plan to tackle serious violence

West Yorkshire’s top priorities for tackling serious violence have been revealed ahead of the publication of a strategy co-designed with and for the region's communities. 

Five thousand responses to a public consultation saw key themes of tackling knife crime, the impact of gangs and organised crime, and reducing violence against women and girls. 

Young people said that visible policing, support from community hubs and access to outdoor spaces were important to their feelings of safety. 

“Communities can help reduce serious violence, we can use leaders and positive role models to support families.”  

Others surveyed highlighted education and early intervention, tackling gang culture, knives and online harms.

"As a parent I need information so I can help educate my kids, so they are safe and don’t get pulled into gang activity.” 

It follows an election pledge from Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin to co-produce a dedicated strategy with communities, with a people's plan due to be launched later this year. 

The Mayor’s recent Police and Crime Plan has already put a spotlight on serious violence with action being delivered.  

• In 2025 knife crime involving under 25s was down 16% compared to the previous year, while robberies with a knife were down 18% over the same period.
• In January, Mayor Tracy Brabin launched her People’s Fund, with up to £100,000 made available in each of the five districts for local groups and organisations to deliver projects working to tackle serious violence.
• The Violence Reduction Partnership has supported more than 8,000 young people under 24 and almost 500 adults since April 2025.  
• The Mayor’s Women’s Safety Unit is contributing towards better outcomes for victims in West Yorkshire, such as significant rises in Clare’s Law requests and use of Domestic Violence Protection Notices and Orders.  
• High profile campaigns ‘Just Don’t’ and ‘I Took a Seat’ continue to reach new audiences. 

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

“I know how important tackling the scourge of serious violence is to our local communities, and they have told us exactly where they want us to focus. 

“By working together, we can build upon our achievements, from reducing knife crime to making West Yorkshire safer for women and girls. 

“This is a combined effort, but by listening to the needs of local residents, we can create a safer, fairer West Yorkshire for everyone.” 

Meanwhile projects being delivered through money seized from criminals under the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund continue to make a difference across the region. They include: 

• OnTrak Community Initiative is providing information and education to address knife crime, criminal exploitation, grooming, drugs awareness and challenging anti-social behaviour, while teaching young people bike maintenance in Bradford, Calderdale and Leeds.
• Talk your Walk run by Wake Youth Intervention programme in Wakefield aimed at young people who are at risk of anti-social behaviour, violence, and criminal exploitation, is creating safe inclusive spaces where they can explore identity, emotional wellbeing and aspirations.
• Yorkshire Wellbeing Skills Group runs Breaking Silence in Kirklees, creating a safe supportive environment where black and minority ethnic women and girls affected by domestic abuse and honour-based violence can come together, share lived experiences, support one another and raise awareness to help prevent future harm. 

Alison Lowe OBE, West Yorkshire's Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said:

“Serious Violence has terrible consequences that often spread far and wide. 

“That’s why we’ve placed such an emphasis on early intervention and prevention, working with our communities on solutions that reflect their experiences.”