The Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU) has revealed the findings of the 2024/25 Listening Project. For the past six years the VVU, an organisation set-up to reduce serious violence, has carried out extensive research with young people to understand what makes them feel safe – and unsafe – in the county.
Thanks to a wide range of initiatives by the VVU, and partners including Essex Police, knife crime is falling across Essex, bucking the national trend. However, the Listening Project ¹ reveals that the biggest concern for most young people across the county is still, for the sixth year in a row, getting stabbed/knife crime (19.9%). This figure has slightly fallen from the previous year (21.6%).
The fear of knife crime, among other social issues, such as gangs, drugs and harassment is something the VVU is here to address. Roger Hirst, Essex PFCC and Chair of the Violence and Vulnerability Partnership, explains: “Knife crime is a very serious issue and one we will continue to tackle to make our communities safer. However, unlike the rest of the UK, we are making great progress in reducing knife crime in Essex. Knife crime is falling in Essex and it’s important our communities know this.
“Since 2019 we’ve spent over £9 million on prevention, early intervention and have been working with Essex Police on enforcement – we have seen a 24% reduction in knife crime, with hospitals reporting over 50% reduction in knife harm incidents. This is a huge achievement, but we are not complacent, we know one knife crime is one too many and will continue to work in partnership to drive down these reductions further”
The VVU’s ‘Listening Project’ is an annual review of young people’s concerns about safety. The 2024 / 25 review involved 2,466 10-25 year olds in Essex. Run on behalf of the VVU by Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services, conversations were had face-to-face, in youth groups, on social media, in schools and at a VVU young person’s conference to get in-depth, localised information on safety
The biggest concerns for young people across Essex are:
Knife crime – 19.9%
Other (global affairs, people throwing fireworks, threats, discrimination, online abuse etc) – 17.1%
Gangs – 10.7%
Harassment – 9.3%
Drugs – 8.9%
Theft, mugging, robbery – 8.8%
Fighting – 5.8%
Bullying – 4.8%
Poorly lit areas – 4.3%
Groups of people – 3.4%
Smoking or vaping – 3%
Vehicle related crime – 2%
Violence against women and girls – 2%
Topping the Listening Project’s list of requirements for young people to feel safe were social, ‘chill out’ spaces, where they could undertake affordable or free activities, such as sport or attend a youth club. Young people also felt safer when they were with their friends, had access to a phone, in well-lit areas, knew the area or were at a youth club.
Through community grant funding, the VVU has been supporting a wide range of community-led interventions, providing a safe and secure place for young people to go, as well as time with a trusted adult. Over the past year the VVU awarded £312,508 to 17 projects to support young people. The schemes supported young people in a number of ways, including raising self-esteem and confidence, building resilience and improving mental and physical wellbeing.
In Harlow, Rainbow Services Youth Project has been offering young people a 12-week programme in their carpentry workshop. The Youth Project provides young people with a safe space to talk about their experiences, reconnect with positive models, reengage with education, and work towards carpentry qualifications. At the same time, they build woodwork projects for community groups and public spaces course provides a much-needed safe place for young people to remove themselves from drug and gang influence. We also signpost young people onto opportunity to join further courses with Essex Fire and Rescue, as well as attend residential activity trips, and get involved with other local community activities such as the police and fire cadets .
All the programme also helps to build healthier positive relationships; whilst learning new skills in a unique community-based initiative.
Jason Shaves Youth/Facilities Manager, Rainbow Services, is really pleased with the results. He says: “We are so proud of our youth project and the young people we work with. Our team of staff and volunteers are amazing, and over the years have changed the lives of so many young people, showing them that there are alternative, positive ways of living, earning money, and belonging to a community.” “The project has been transformative for so many young people. By taking youngsters out of their everyday life, we provide a safe space for positive relationships to thrive and new futures to begin.”
The Listening Project also highlighted innovative solutions young people felt could make them safer, such as free mobile phone charging stations, location map apps and emergency help points in public places.
To discover more about the work of the VVU, visit www.essexvvu.co.uk.
