Over 75 representatives from partner organisations, community groups and voluntary sector organisations attended an engagement event hosted by the Northamptonshire Serious Violence Alliance (NSVA).
The event marked a significant step forward in fostering collaboration to develop a joint response to tackle serious violence and knife crime across the county. As part of the Serious Violence Duty, the NSVA was formed to develop a joint approach to tackling the root causes of serious violence.
NSVA partners include Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, Youth Offending and Probation Services, Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board, North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council.
Attendees engaged in three insightful workshops focusing on identifying strategic priorities outlining communications and engagement strategies and approaches to communicate with young people and adults, and the ways in which partners can collaborate to prevent youth violence and knife crime. The insights gained from these workshops will actively support this year’s Strategic Needs Assessment and inform the Serious Violence Reduction Strategy.
Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold said: “We will only begin to make a difference to violent and knife crime if we work as one. It was powerful that partners across Northamptonshire came together for this event, to share and learn.
“The voice of the community will be at the heart of everything we do to tackle knife crime. This opportunity to listen and share is an important step towards a Strategy that will really make an impact and reflect the views of the people who best understand what works in the communities we serve.”
