It’s time for a new approach to knife crime and serious violence. That’s the message from Mayor of the West of England, Dan Norris, as he confirmed plans for new cash to tackle these challenges on local streets.
Speaking alongside Police Commissioner Clare Moody and Solicitor General Sarah Sackman, the Mayor announced plans to invest in a new Office of Violence Prevention – the first in the UK – on a visit to Empire Fighting Chance’s boxing gym in Bristol.
The Office of Violence Prevention would be a significant intervention, and comes with the endorsement of the United Nations and globally respected organisation Peace in our Cities, a network of over 24 city regions and 40 expert international organisations. Their approach is already working effectively in city regions around the world, including Bogota (Colombia), Durban (South Africa), and Oakland (California, USA).
Dan Norris, Mayor of the West of England, said:
“The West of England Office of Violence Prevention has the potential to change and save lives. It’s an approach proven by other regions around the world. That’s why I am bringing forward plans for investment to get it started.
“I’m delighted to be making this announcement at Empire Fighting Chance who are already part of work to tackle knife crime in our cities and market towns, to give young people a chance to turn their lives around. Working with the police, NHS, and key partners, we can deliver a safer region.”
Clare Moody, Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset, said:
“As your PCC, one of my five priorities within my new Police and Crime Plan is reducing serious violence – particularly youth violence and knife crime. This is not a policing issue alone and has to include partners working effectively to deliver prevention, intervention and long-term solutions that tackle root causes of knife crime.
“There is already great work being done here in Avon and Somerset in communities, supported by partner agencies including police and local authorities, so I really welcome the additional focus and investment that this West of England Office of Violence Prevention project would bring.”
Solicitor General Sarah Sackman KC MP said:
“We will work tirelessly to make our communities a safer place for our young people and to address the root causes of crime. It is essential that we work closely with all our partners, including local governments, to achieve this mission.
“That’s why I was delighted to join the Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner, to meet the team at Empire Fighting Chance, and see first-hand some of their vital work, alongside the young people who are being supported with their services.”
Serena Wiebe, Coach at Empire Fighting Chance, said:
“When Eddie [Kinuthia] was murdered, it hit me and my family like a ton of bricks. I could never have imagined that someone so close to me, someone I’d known my whole life, could be taken away so suddenly. Eddie wasn’t just a friend; he was like a brother. Losing him felt like losing a part of myself.
“Throughout my life, whenever I’ve faced grief, I’ve never handled it the right way. But with Eddie’s death, something inside me changed. I realized I couldn’t let his legacy fade away. Eddie was an incredibly positive, caring, and talented young man, always striving to lift others up. He wanted nothing but good for the people around him. In his honour, I felt a deep responsibility to carry that torch forward—not only for him but for his family and the entire community that loved him.
“I first heard about Empire Fighting Chance about four years ago. I was receiving bereavement counselling. Instead of traditional therapy, I asked to do work experience here and got the support that Empire provides. I was soon working for the charity. Now I do one-to-one sessions, work with groups, and visit schools. As a campaigner, I also represent our area at important meetings on knife crime, violence, and wider youth policy, and recently met Idris Elba, the King, and Keir Starmer to discuss the investment that we need.”
Empire Fighting Chance is an award-winning local charity which uses non-contact boxing and intensive personal support to challenge and inspire young people around the region and across England and Wales. They engage with 10,000 people a year, ranging from aged eight to 25 – working with schools, their gym, and a network of partner organisations and affiliated boxing clubs to have positive impact on young people and communities.
The Government are set to launch a new Young Futures programme, consisting of a network of Young Futures hubs, bringing together services to help improve the way young people access opportunities and support in their local communities, and Young Futures Prevention Partnerships which will map existing youth services and identify at-risk young people.
Plans for investment in the Office of Violence Prevention are set to come to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s Committee in January.
