What is violence prevention
Violence prevention refers to the reduction of violent victimisation or perpetration through direct efforts to remove or reduce the underlying causes.
Our aim for Dudley is a safe and healthy borough: our residents will live in safe communities where people are protected from harm, and where crime and exploitation are prevented.
From children to the elderly, violence affects the lives of millions across all stages of life. Many survive serious violence but suffer long-lasting consequences of on-going physical, mental, or emotional health problems.
Violence is preventable, not inevitable. Interventions, especially those in early childhood, not only prevent individuals developing a propensity for violence but also improve educational outcomes, employment prospects and long-term health outcomes.
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The recent Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 places a statutory duty on specified authorities to work in partnership to tackle serious violence in our communities. We are committed to stopping serious violence before it begins by approaching the issue as a whole system “public health” problem.
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Delivering the Serious Violence Duty in Dudley
What is the Serious Violence Duty?
A statutory duty launched in January 2024, requiring local agencies—such as Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, West Midlands Police, health services, schools, and youth justice — to work together to prevent serious violence. The duty places an emphasis on protecting young people by not just responding to violence, but addressing the root causes and strengthening early intervention. For more detail on the Serious Violence Duty visit the GOV.UK webpages.
What is serious violence?
Whilst the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 does not define serious violence for the purposes of the duty, it asks local areas to define serious violence within their area. Serious Violence does include the use of weapons to threaten or cause injury, and other violence resulting in serious injury. Serious violence can also be connected to particular activities, such as drug dealing and criminal exploitation (sometimes referred to as County Lines). This page will explore what the data tells us about serious violence in Dudley.
Who are the partners?
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Black Country Integrated Care Board - Dudley Place
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Dudley and Sandwell Probation Delivery Unit, West Midlands
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Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
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Dudley Youth Justice Service
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Education Providers
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Prisons and the Secure Estate
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West Midlands Police
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West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service
Help, support & reporting
West Midlands Police
Call police non-emergency number 101 - in an emergency call 999
Visit www.west-midlands.police.uk/
Accessibility text phone 18001 101 (In an emergency 18001)
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Victim Support
Victim Support My Support Space is an online resource designed to help you manage the impact that crime has had on you.
Visit www.mysupportspace.org.uk/MOJ
Call 01384 241511
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​Crimestoppers
An independent charity helping law enforcement to locate criminals and help solve crimes.
Visit https://crimestoppers-uk.org
Call anonymously 24/7, on 0800 555 111.
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West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership
