London needs more transparency from its VRU – Assembly report

London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) should provide Londoners with more information on its impact, according to a London Assembly Police and Crime Committee report.

A major contributor to the campaign against violence in the capital, the VRU has received £7 million each year from the Government since its inception, topped up by funding from the Mayor.

The Police and Crime Committee report says it is critical that Londoners understand the impact of the VRU’s contribution and can readily access information on its work.

The Committee also recommends that London’s VRU publishes comparisons with the other VRUs on its web pages, so that Londoners can easily compare its performance with other areas of the country.

Chairman of the Police and Crime Committee, Susan Hall AM, said:

“It is essential that authorities get a grip on reducing violent crime in London and that Londoners are made aware of what action is being taken to make their city safer.

“London’s Violence Reduction Unit is a major contributor to the campaign against violence and has received considerable support from central Government and the Mayor since 2018.

“It is encouraging to see how the VRU is testing new ways of preventing young Londoners from getting caught up in violence.

“But now the unit is more established, there needs to be greater emphasis on evaluation, impact and transparency, particularly as the VRU faces many strategic challenges in the years ahead.”