South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit

25/03/2026

🎥 A look back at our recent South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit conference

More than 150 delegates joined us from every corner of South Yorkshire to share ideas, learning and good practice on preventing violence and keeping people safe.

Thank you to Mayor Oliver Coppard for opening the day, and to Sarah Godfrey from Save the Children UK and Assistant Chief Constable Hayley Barnett from South Yorkshire Police for their insightful presentations.

The conference featured 12 workshops covering a wide range of topics, from safety on public transport and delivering the national violence against women and girls strategy, to taking a whole‑systems approach to safeguarding children and young people and understanding the current knife‑crime picture in South Yorkshire.

There was also plenty of opportunity to network and connect, with market stalls from partner organisations showcasing the vital work happening across our region.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to such a positive and collaborative day.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

09/03/2026

🚨 £40,000 to support young people across South Yorkshire 🚨

The South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit has awarded £40,000 to a partnership of our region’s five professional football clubs to expand youth engagement, prevention and mentoring programmes across the county.

This takes total investment in this work to £80,000, following a successful bid to the Premier League Foundation.

Co‑ordinated by Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme (SWFCCP), the funding will be shared among clubs in Barnsley, Doncaster, Sheffield and Rotherham to build on the Premier League Kicks model.

Through weekly sessions, workshops and targeted support, the programme will focus on key issues including knife crime, violence against women and girls, and personal safety, helping to reduce violence and strengthen positive pathways for young people.

Read more here -

The South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has awarded £40,000 to a partnership of the region’s five professional football clubs to expand youth engagement, prevention…

25/02/2026

South Yorkshire's Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime, Kilvinder Vigurs visited the Sheffield United Community Foundation last night, where she met Rob, Shannon and their colleagues - an inspiring team working with children and young people aged 8 to 18.

The Foundation provides football and multi-sport coaching alongside dedicated youth work, supporting boys and girls, many of whom are excluded from school, in alternative provision or vulnerable to negative influences.

The team is building trusted relationships, offering positive role models, teaching social skills and instilling the discipline that comes through sport. Their work gives young people the chance to feel supported, listened to, and hopeful about their future.

Kilvinder particularly enjoyed speaking with a group of 14-year-old girls who confidently shared their ambitions, ranging from becoming a nursery nurse to a social worker for older adults and a dentist.

This initiative is partly funded by the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit, supporting efforts to tackle exploitation and violence across the region.

Kilvinder emphasised that although there is always more to do, it’s vital to highlight what good practice looks like and showcase the importance of this work. She looks forward to visiting other projects supported through the VRU grants scheme.

08/01/2026

Fill in the short survey by 22nd January ⬇️

Extra funding for policing means better policing: safer neighbourhoods, more visible policing, quicker response times and for officers to be equipped with the modern tools they need to do their job.

Have your say on the Mayor's policing precept survey by 22nd January - https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90990195/Policing-Precept-2025

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

06/01/2026

Our police and fire services are funded through a mix of government grants and the remainder is raised through the council tax precept.

In South Yorkshire, the policing precept makes up about 11% of a typical council tax bill. Oliver Coppard is inviting residents to share their views on his proposals before he sets the police precept.

If you live in South Yorkshire, have your say by the 22 January: https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90990195/Policing-Precept-2025

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

03/01/2026

Mayor Oliver Coppard wants to boost visible policing, cut neighbourhood crime and tackle antisocial behaviour, funded through greater investment in South Yorkshire Police.

He’s asking residents to share their views before he sets the police precept - the part of council tax that supports policing (around 11% of a typical bill).

Take the short survey here - https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90990195/Policing-Precept-2025

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

16/12/2025

This is what opportunity looks like in action. Our VRU Funded Young Leaders Leadership Programme is opening doors for young people who may never have had access to spaces like this before. One of our young leaders told us this was the first time they had been given the chance to be part of such an incredible programme and that is exactly why this work matters so deeply to us.

We are building confidence, skills, ambition and real belief in what our young people can achieve. The pride we see in the room each week is truly special and we are only just getting started.

Thank you to our funders, partners and the young people who continue to inspire us every step of the way.

10/12/2025

A special shoutout to the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit!

We would like to thank VRU for the grant donation which will be utilised in our Rapid Rehousing Service, supporting young people with the most complex needs who are sleeping rough.

VRU aims to empower local organisations to make a real difference in the community resulting in safer, stronger neighbourhoods. Community organisations are the backbone of their efforts to reduce violence.

The grant will contribute to Roundabout’s Rapid Rehousing Service in tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, domestic abuse, reducing substance abuse, enabling effecting rehabilitation and ensuring vulnerable young people receive equal opportunities.

South Yorkshire's Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime

10/12/2025

So pleased to support worthwhile initiatives like Sheffield R**e and Sexual Abuse Centre as part of our grants scheme.

We have some exciting news - we've got funding! 🎉

We're excited to share that we've been granted funding from the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) South Yorkshire's Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime to revamp and re-launch our Wellbeing Service!

With this new funding award, we will be able to prioritise the development of this service to deliver a structured, trauma-informed programme of support that runs alongside, and in some cases instead of, counselling.

Watch this space - we can't wait to share more details soon! 💜

21/11/2025

This week partners have come together for Operation Sceptre - a national week of action to tackle knife crime, running from 17 to 23 November.

We have commissioned Learn Sheffield to develop a suite of effective prevention knife crime resources for South Yorkshire.

These build upon existing research into the most effective ways of educating young people about knife crime.

They are focused in how those pupils who are likely to never be involved in knife crime can support the small minority who might be.

To access these free resources click https://www.learnsheffield.co.uk/Projects/Effective-Preventative-Knife-Crime-Education/

South Yorkshire's Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime
South Yorkshire Police
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

Learn Sheffield | By Sheffield. For Sheffield. In Collaboration

21/11/2025

If you're coming to Bright Nights this evening, we have a range of measures in place to make sure you, your friends and your family have a safe and enjoyable time.

Many bars in the town centre have the Ask for Angela scheme, you could download the WalkSafe app, and we have nightlife marshalls and street pastors as a friendly face to go to if you need it.

Find out more at barnsley.gov.uk/services/tourism-and-events/barnsley-town-centre/evening-and-night-time-town-centre-safety