THE Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP) has published its 2024/25 Annual Report, celebrating 5 years of pioneering work to prevent serious violence across the region.

The report showcases the scale and success of MVRP’s public health approach, which has now reached a total of more than 114,000 young people through targeted interventions, education programmes, and community-led projects.

From early years support to youth diversion schemes, the partnership continues to tackle the root causes of violence using a public health approach, reaching more than 33,800 young people in the past 12 month alone.

Among the many successful projects run by the MVRP and featured in the report are:-
 

• The Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES Fund) which saw £500,000 invested in 30 community-led organisations to provide positive opportunities for young people to prevent crime and create brighter futures. Projects included the Waterloo Hotshots which delivered inclusive tennis coaching and sports sessions to People Empowered CIC who delivered arts and sports-based sessions to 800 young people in deprived areas of St Helens, with some describing the support as “life-saving”.
• Ariel Trust – who have reached 14,783 young people through their innovative school programmes using drama and parental engagement to tackle gang grooming, misogyny, and improve online safety of pupils.
• Operation Inclusion, a deferred prosecution scheme which works to give young people, aged 13 to 17, the chance to change their behaviour after being involved with violent crime or drugs. Young people on the scheme had a reoffending rate of just 19.7%, significantly lower than the national average of 32.5%, providing them with a second chance through tailored support.
• More than 4,5000 professionals from education, health, policing, and public services completing the MVRP’s Trauma Informed Practice Training, helping to equip them with the tools and understanding needed to better support individuals affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma.
• KnifeSavers, a trauma-led initiative, which has trained more than 6,000 people to use bleed control packs, installed 150 cabinets across Merseyside, and embedded life-saving education into university curricula. The packs have already been used in real-life emergencies, saving lives.

Reflecting on the year, MVRP Director Superintendent Georgie Garvey said:- “This year marks 5 years of innovation, hard work and dedication to preventing serious violence by Merseyside’s Violence Reduction Partnership. We’ve worked with so many amazing individuals and organisations who are absolutely committed to reducing harm, supporting young people and their families, and tackling the root causes of violence. The evidence, case studies and insight contained in this annual report show we are heading in the right direction. But we also know our region faces unique challenges – and that’s what drives us to work even harder. Prevention is essential.”

A key milestone in the year was the flagship conference, Driving Change:- The Impact of Prevention, which brought together more than 160 professionals to share learning and showcase the impact of MVRP’s work. The event featured more than 25 sessions led by experts, young people, and those with lived experience.

The Annual Report details how the MVRP’s work is structured along five key strategic themes – early years, education, health, preventing offending, and whole family approaches – all with a focus on using a public health approach to prevent and tackle serious violence.

It also sets the MVRP’s work with each of Merseyside’s 5 local authorities to run projects focused delivering positive change and celebrates the team’s recognition at the Merseyside Police Community First Awards, when they received the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Award.

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell, who funds and oversees the MVRP, praised the partnership’s achievements:- “By identifying where organisations can work closer together, forging bonds and bridging gaps, this team has played a pivotal role in helping to reduce serious violence in our region. Over the past 5 years, they have reached more than 114,000 young people through their positive interventions delivered by a diverse range of partner organisations and community groups. The projects they run and commission are increasing aspirations and changing lives, for the better - increasing aspirations, improving life chances and preventing harm.”

Take a look at this short film showcasing the work of the MVRP over 2024/25

Read the full report and learn more about the MVRP’s work.