Violence Prevention Programme Reaches One Million People

A violence prevention programme in the United Kingdom has reached one million Londoners, helping protect young people and contributing to efforts to reduce serious youth violence.

“A public health approach to tackling violence and exploitation works,” said London Mayor Sadiq Khan, highlighting the importance of prevention, early intervention and positive opportunities for young people.

Established in 2019, London’s Violence Reduction Unit has supported 750,000 young people and 250,000 parents, carers, youth workers and professionals. Since its launch, hospital admissions of young people following knife assaults have fallen by 54%. Police-recorded knife-enabled crime declined by 12% in the year ending June 2026, while homicides among 13- to 19-year-olds dropped by 68% between 2019 and 2025. The programme combines early intervention, mentoring and community support to address the underlying causes of violence and create safer environments for young people.