Our approach to reducing violent crime
We apply a public health approach to violent crime, including serious youth violence. We treat violence as a preventable public health issue rather than solely a police enforcement matter.
It centres around the following key areas:
This includes factors such as:
- childhood or adolescent trauma
- mental ill-health
- socioeconomic status
We’re working with both internal and external partners to ensure that we’re tackling serious violence in the round.
Internal partners include:
Externally, we work closely with:
- voluntary and community sector organisations
- local parents
- schools
- youth hubs
- clinical commissioning groups (CCGs)
- London Fire Brigade
- Mayor of London’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC)
We work to reduce crime. We do this by recognising and addressing the issues that put certain people at risk of becoming involved in crime.
This is not about delivering a soft approach to violent crime. Instead, it’s about a smart, proactive approach. The approach works to prevent violence and divert people away from crime. Where necessary, it enforces against those who pose a risk to others.
In our early intervention approach, we aim to stamp out inequalities that make young people vulnerable to exploitation and grooming. This includes addressing issues like socioeconomic disadvantage and racial profiling.
We’re running a programme to listen to and tackle the structural challenges that can impact on outcomes for young black men. Our Young Hackney team offers specific support for young people who’ve been affected by discrimination or inequalities.
It’s key that communities are at the core of shaping policies that affect them.
We’ve created forums like the Hackney Young Futures Commission, to ensure local young people’s voices are heard.
Community Resilience Partnership (CRP)
Our Community Resilience Partnership brings together local government and community voices to develop community-shaped solutions around the prevention of violent crime and disorder.
We’re also committed to developing hyperlocal partnerships which recognise the many assets and strengths of communities. Building on existing work with partners in Pembury, Woodberry Down and Kings Park, we’re developing a network which will help strengthen our approach to tackling serious violence across Hackney.
Find out more about our approach to reducing violent crime.
Get help
Call the police on 999.
If you have information about a crime, or in non-emergencies, call the police on 101.
You can make silent calls to police if you can’t speak freely by dialling 999 then, when prompted to do, so press 55.
You can call the police in emergencies on 18000 or 18001 101 in non-emergencies.
You can also text 999 if you’ve pre-registered for the Emergency SMS service on Relay UK.
Support for victims and witnesses of crime
If a crime has affected you, contact North London Victim Support for free local support. You can call them on 0808 186 9291 from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday. Call 0808 1689 111 to contact them at all other times. You can also request support on their website.
If someone has murdered or unlawfully killed a family member and you need bereavement support, contact the National Homicide Service. Call 0300 303 1984 or email HSsupport@victimsupport.org.uk. To learn about the support available, visit Victim Support – Homicide Service.
Get support for a child or young person
Victim Support’s pan London Children and Young People service provides confidential support for children and young people who have been victims or witnesses of youth violence.
Young Hackney is our service for all young people aged 6 to 19 and up to 25 with additional needs. They also provide a range of advice for young people on staying safe.
Page updated on: 30 January 2024