Wiltshire youth violence prevention programmes cut offending by 90 per cent

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 06:17 · Archive

Hundreds of children in Wiltshire and Swindon have been supported through government-funded programmes aimed at reducing serious violence. The initiatives, funded by the Serious Violence Duty (SVD) and commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), benefited young people across the region in 2025/26.

The programmes focused on early intervention, reducing vulnerability, and addressing the root causes of violence such as exploitation, trauma, and educational disengagement. The Serious Violence Duty is a Government directive that brings together organisations including police, local authorities, youth offending teams, schools, and health services to share information and coordinate efforts to prevent serious violence.

During 2025/26, the SVD-funded programmes supported a wide range of interventions. Targeted support helped children facing circumstances that increased their vulnerability to violence and exploitation. In Wiltshire, one programme cohort saw all participants return to education, with improvements in school attendance, engagement, and confidence in support services. One cohort recorded a 90 per cent drop in offending behaviour.

Philip Wilkinson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said the programmes demonstrated the value of partnership working and prevention. 'They are helping children build resilience, improve engagement with education and access the support they need before problems escalate,' he said. 'Too often, when we talk about serious violence, we focus on the consequences rather than the causes. Through the Serious Violence Duty, we are investing in practical interventions that help steer children away from harm, exploitation and criminality before they become victims or offenders.'

How it is being reported

• Wiltshire youth programme records 90 per cent drop in offending behaviourHundreds of children in Wiltshire have been supported through programmes aimed at reducing serious violenceGazette & Herald · 4 Nov, 05:00
• Wiltshire youth programme records 90 per cent drop in offending behaviourHundreds of children in Wiltshire have been supported through programmes aimed at reducing serious violenceThis Is Wiltshire · 4 Nov, 05:00
• Wiltshire youth programme records 90 per cent drop in offending behaviourHundreds of children in Wiltshire have been supported through programmes aimed at reducing serious violenceSwindon Advertiser · 4 Nov, 05:00
• Wiltshire youth programme records 90 per cent drop in offending behaviourHundreds of children in Wiltshire have been supported through programmes aimed at reducing serious violenceWiltshire Times · 4 Nov, 05:00

In this story: Wiltshire · Swindon · Philip Wilkinson · Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner · Serious Violence Duty

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log