Ready, Respect, Safe Week at Chelmsford College
The VVU took time out last week to visit Chelmsford College’s Ready, Respect, Safe Week, which evolved from the PRISE (Prepare, Respect, Inspire, Safe, Engage) Week the college ran in 2023. Ready, Respect, Safe, is a week that sits alongside the college’s regular timetabled learning, but their life skills classes are taken over by guest […]
Bringing together all Violence Reduction Units
Last week members of the VVU attended a two-day event in Reading with the Home Office and hosted by Thames Valley Violence Reduction Partnership. The event bought together all the 22 Violence Reduction Units (of which Essex VVU is one). The first day was focused on working with our Home Office partners on the Serious […]
Zombie Knife and Machete surrender scheme ends and new legislation begins
The Home Office amnesty and compensation scheme that encouraged people to surrender dangerous machetes and zombie knives has now ended with some pleasing results in Essex. The amnesty ended today, which means it is now illegal to own zombie style knives or machetes in England and Wales. The new legislation also means it is against […]
Applications welcome for our 25/26 community grant
Organisations are invited to now apply for the 2025 – 2026 VVU Community Grant. Groups can apply for up to £20,000 to deliver support and interventions for children, young people, young adults and families (families must include children, young people or young adults aged 0-24 inclusive). Projects must demonstrate how they have a positive impact […]
New legislation on zombie style knives and start of knife amnesty
A nationwide call to hand over zombie-style knives and machetes has been launched by the government, before these dangerous weapons are banned from our streets from 24 September. From 24 September 2024, new legislation comes into effect which makes it illegal to own zombie-style knives and machetes as they will be added to the list […]
Results of 2024 listening project
The Listening Project is an annual event delivered by Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services on behalf of the VVU which asks young people across Southend, Essex and Thurrock for their views on youth violence. This year 1434 young people took part and the results are now ready to be shared: Knife crime is the […]
