Serious Violence Duty programmes helping prevent harm and support children across Wiltshire and Swindon

Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner

Serious Violence Duty programmes helping prevent harm and support children across Wiltshire and Swindon

Hundreds of children and professionals across Wiltshire and Swindon benefited from Serious Violence Duty-funded programmes during 2025/26, helping to prevent violence, reduce vulnerability and provide early support to those most at risk.

Funded through the Serious Violence Duty and commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), the programmes brought together local partners to address the factors associated with serious violence, including exploitation, educational disengagement, trauma and adverse childhood experiences.

The Serious Violence Duty (SVD) is a Government directive that brings together organisations including the OPCC, police, local authorities, youth offending teams, schools, health services and care boards to share information about serious violence and work together to prevent it. Through a coordinated approach, partners can identify risks earlier, target support more effectively and help reduce violence before it occurs.