University leads evaluation into violent crime reduction in South Yorkshire

The project will assess the effectiveness of activities and interventions undertaken by South Yorkshire’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU).

Led by Dr Charlotte Coleman and Dr Kate Whitfield, from the Forensic and Investigative Research group at Sheffield Hallam, it will allow the unit to understand the impact of its work and provide new knowledge that will inform policy and practice locally and nationally.

Established in August 2019, following a successful multi-agency bid for a £1.6 million grant from the Home Office, the South Yorkshire VRU works in partnership with a range of public, community, faith and voluntary organisations to develop and deliver a range of activities to reduce violence in the region, including a public health approach to violent crime.

Rachel Staniforth, head of the VRU, said the unit was now in its second year of funding from the Home Office and the project will provide “valuable insights into what is working”.

“In the first year we were required to produce an area profile and response strategy that look at the causes of violence in South Yorkshire. This document will be published very soon,” she said.

“Part of taking a public health approach is using and adding to data and the evidence base. We want to ensure that the work we are undertaking is having an impact.

“The evaluation that Sheffield Hallam University is undertaking will provide valuable insights into what is working well and what could be improved. These findings will add to the effectiveness of our work, ensuring that we deliver interventions and initiatives that improve the lives of young people and communities in South Yorkshire.”

A public health approach starts with the needs of the public or population group rather than with individual people. As violence is increasingly being considered a public health issue, a key component of the evaluation is to work with stakeholders and communities to assess the contribution and engagement of the VRU.

Dr Coleman said: “Our team are delighted to be working with the South Yorkshire’s VRU on such an important piece of work that will help shape the future of violent crime interventions in South Yorkshire.”

“This funding recognises the expertise of our forensic psychology team in working in the area of violence reduction and evaluation methodologies. I have no doubt that this new working relationship will open up future partnership opportunities to work alongside the South Yorkshire VRU and other crime organisations.”

The evaluation will update the current ‘Theory of Change’ – a description of how and why a change is expected in a particular context, which guides organisational planning, participation and evaluation – and support the development of an evaluation framework for the unit to use in current and future commissioned work.

The updated Theory of Change will support the VRU in prioritising activity and understanding the impact of its work in reducing violent crime, while the evaluation framework will support it in using and developing evidence to ensure the continuation of effective working in the long term.